I have a couple of spruce trees that I planted a about 3 years ago that have two tops. Or rather their are two trees growing from the one root. Now that they are getting bigger- 3 to 5' I am wondering if I should prune one of the trunks out? (and thinking that I probably should have done so from the start!)

I also transplanted a 2' oak tree last fall. This spring it didnt leaf out all the way to the top. It is branched and leafed out about 18" tall. I imagine that there wasnt enough root to support the top. Now I wonder what kind of tree will this mature to, it is in my front yard, so it would be nice if it looked half way decent. I was thinking that it should be ok, since oaks are a bushy type tree rather than having a strong central leader. Any thoughts?

And while I am on the tree subject, I bought 4 grafted apple trees. They were only about 10" tall. On two of them the graft fell out, maybe the wind? I never had this problem before with grafts. Does anyone have any ideas. It was wrapped with a banding and had graft wax on it. I am beginning to wonder if the land is rejecting them, so far I have planted 12 apple trees and only 3 are unscathed. Between deer, fire blight?, mower, winter, and bad grafts I am a little concerned. The funny thing is it is only apple, all the cherry, peach, plum, pear are fine-go figure! Thanks, Tami in WI

-- Tami Bowser (windridg@chorus.net), July 05, 2000

Answers

I would return the apple trees to where you bought them and or ask who ever it is about the problem.

-- Hendo (redgate@echoweb.net), July 05, 2000.

Yes, cut out one of the stems on the spruce trees -- you are right that it should probably have been done sooner, but it isn't too late. As far as the oak is concerned, cut out the dead parts and wait a while -- you may have to give it a couple of years to see whether it is going to take an attractive shape for your front yard. And I agree with Hendo -- take the apple trees back where you bought them, if you can. See if you can find someone in the area who has been successful with apples to advise you, and maybe help you out a little there.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), July 05, 2000.

Take out one of the spruce leaders. It'll be fine. Let the oak go, and it should be fine, too. Agree with everyone you should return the apples, but if you cant, I'd just uproot them. Otherwise they will probably re-grow from the root, but you'll get whatever the rootstock was, and it's likely to be useless! GL!

-- Brad (Homefixer@SacoRiver.net), July 10, 2000.