Hi, I wonder if there's anything to be done in this circumstance. The graft of A. platanoides 'Holata', although I believe it's a dwarf cultivar, is apparently more vigorous than the understock? Or perhaps something else is causing the situation shown in the photos below. The stock shows good root growth, but the stem hasn't matched the expansion of the graft. Is this likely to cause a long term (i.e. life threatening) condition for the plant? I've just put it into the ground, but as I want to ensure this very attractive maple in the collection, should I get another one? I've seen something similar on some high grafted fruit trees, but not yet on a maple. Thanks for any pointers. -E
Is it a witch's broom type dwarf? I know many of the palmatum WB's will do this, maybe not quite as extreme as that one though.
Fill in around it over some years, eventually covering the base of the scion. Maybe it will root out on its own.
Maf, I don't think it's a WB, but I'm not sure. I haven't been able to get much information about the cultivar. Pictures at http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=68288. Ron, that seems like a high risk strategy. Do you think it's likely to die with this sort of malformed graft union? Thanks, -E
I agree with Ron's suggestion. Many of my low grafted maples are, after a few years, growing in their own roots. I add large amounts of mulch (leaf compost, shredded branches) which, slowly, end up covering the graft union. No deaths imputable to this. Gomero
Interesting. I confess I'm so paranoid about the soil getting too high that I pull back mulch even over time. I also mulch with (mostly) shredded branches, all though "large amounts" would be an overstatement for me. So, I will let it gradually build up around this one, and see what happens. Thanks, -E
It would be useful to know if it can live on its own roots. In any case, I would secure tightly a wire (copper or aluminium) at the base and cover up with soil 10-15 cm above : when growing, roots will developp, and the layer will keep some of the roots of the rootstock. Then, there would be fewer risks of the base breaking in case of strong wind...
