Hi everyone...I was doing a search on the walking stick tree, when I came across some information that said that the WS tree is very slow growing, and if you see one that is 8 Foot tall, it is probably 50 + years old. I received mine as a gift from my son on Mothers day 2003. It was about 15 to 18" after it was planted It is now 6 foot tall. Is that unusual for that much growth in 5 years? I have a recent photo, I'll look for one when it was first planted. Joann how do you post photos here? and thanks.
I've had Aralia elata - the common one in gardens - shoot right up. Eastern native A. spinosa also grows taller than 8'. Maybe under certain site and/or climate conditions it is stunted and remains quite short.
Could you be growing the twisted hazel, Corylus avellana contorta? This is quite slow. See for attaching pics. http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=725
Thanks for the responses. Here is the photo of the tree in June of 2003. It's on the bottom left, note size in relation to the bird feeder.
This is the tree now, this June. It has grown leaps and bounds for a "slow grower" Please tell me the correct name of my tree. I just cut it back somewhat today, because I wanted it to look more like a tree than a shrub. If you need a close-up to identify it, I can take one tomorrow. Thanks Joann
Corylus avellana 'Contorta'. Corkscrew hazel. Crazy Hazel. Curly hazel. Harry Lauder's walking-stick. Dense, domelike habit typical. Best to let it develop naturally, for the most part. If grafted, rootstock suckers should be watched for and pruned out. These will have straight stems that soon poke up through the twisted branches of the cultivar. One in Tacoma, WA was 13' tall, with an average crown spread of 16' in 1993.
