We live slightly north of Kamloops BC with very sandy soil and windy conditions; some years we have very little snow coverage but almost constant wind. We have only lived here a few years and would love to plant many trees that will tolerate these conditions. We have an acreage so I am not worried about suckering - the more than merrier at this point!! We have plenty of water to establish plants but would prefer species that can be weaned and grow well in the environment that is natural to this area. We thought we had it perfectly planned when we started with the purple robe locust but I am unsure of the condition of those now (see other thread)!
Russian Olive (eleaeagnus angustifolia) fits the bill, on all counts. Not uncommon In The Loops, so shouldn't be hard to find. The species form of Black Locust would also work....In this case, the rootstock of the Purple Robes (if tops expired) should be Black Locust, and you can simply let these sprout and grow. Perhaps you treated your Purple Robe(s) too well, in terms of watering, creating rampant but brittle (and perhaps extra tender) growth, vis-a-vis winter temps? Locusts can do this, in such situations....or maybe the opposite: inadequate watering during intense summer heat? Could also be sudden cold snap following a relatively mild Fall....
Thank you for the info. I really was not aware of all the conditions that could cause a trees demise:0( I am familiar with the Russian olive so maybe that will be the way to go.
And even at that, it might be none of the above. Stress on the graft union from strong winds, with the graft oriented into the wind could cause partial or full failure, sufficient to disrupt top growth: dead branches with progressively declining (ie. fading) green cambium on the stem would be consistent with this, ....is there anything sprouting from the rootstock (the portion of stem below the graft)? Healthy roots on a locust should be producing sprouts from the base, at least. If nothing there, than total death would be more indicative of a watering or winter cold issue.....
Contact David Williams at TRU and see if he is leading any campus treewalks in the near future (or just visit TRU and see what they are growing there)
