Generally, Yellowwood trees (Cladrastis kentukea), bloom every other year. This is the year for mine to bloom. I have been checking the progress of bud formation on the tree and was pleased to note the abundance of buds. This evening, I discovered that the more precocious buds, on the western side of the tree, have shriveled. The other buds, which are not as advanced, seem unaffected. Is the unusually cool weather to blame? Or is this the result of some disease? Will the other buds also fall victim? Stay tuned for the continuing saga.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The Curious Incident of the Yellowwood in the Spring
Generally, Yellowwood trees (Cladrastis kentukea), bloom every other year. This is the year for mine to bloom. I have been checking the progress of bud formation on the tree and was pleased to note the abundance of buds. This evening, I discovered that the more precocious buds, on the western side of the tree, have shriveled. The other buds, which are not as advanced, seem unaffected. Is the unusually cool weather to blame? Or is this the result of some disease? Will the other buds also fall victim? Stay tuned for the continuing saga.
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14 comments:
Oh I hope you will get some blooms at least. You could take one of the shriveled ones to a nursery and maybe they could tell you what is going on.
MMD, I have no idea what's happening with your tree (I'm notoriously ignorant about trees, alas), but I'd be tempted to blame the weather. I'm not sure if you've had similar weather to us, but the unusually cool and downright wet weather has obviously affected some of our bloomers. I'm putting the ETA of our peonies at least another week or two out, whereas they were in full bloom last year, and so was the Dragon arum. It's been so rainy and cool this week that I've barely got anything done in the garden (except cleaning up and re-planting the small bed next to the steps).
Hope you do get some blooms and the problem is only transitory!
Arg!!! Isn't this the kind of stuff that just drives you crazy. Ah, the joys and mysteries of gardening.
Looking forward to the continuing saga.
Howe old is your Cladrastis?
We have a Cladrastis who is only three years old but it growes very fine,even if late frost take the first buds. I have heard that the tree dont bloom for about 20 years!!
I dont want to wait so long ;(
Cladrastis seams to have so wonderfol flowers.
Sad if your blooms are falling down.
Ken
What a disappointment having the blooms shrivel. I don't know anything about this tree but I hope it comes around for you.
Very frustrating and puzzling...let's hope it's the weather.
I will stay tuned for more on this developing story!
Gail
Beckie - thanks for the idea. I'll call the Morton Arboretum plant clinic. They usually know what's going on.
Iowa Victory Gardener - we have had some weird weather. I still haven't turned off the heat yet, which is unprecedented.
MSS - I just try to roll with the punches. I love this tree even when it's not in bloom, but it is fantastic when it does.
Ken - I've misplaced my old journal, so I can't look it up, but I know I've had this tree at least 5 years & it's bloomed before.
Thanks, Lisa.
Gail - if it were all the buds, I'd be very upset. I'm more curious than anything.
Hope you solve this garden whodunnit and that the rest of the buds are unaffected. Never a dull moment in a garden, is there?
I'm wondering about your prevailing wind.
Could any chemicals have blown in from that direction?
Esther
I would blame it on the weather, but what do I know? Until this day I didn't even know what a Cladrastis kentukea was (its a beautiful tree by the way)
Cindy - the only dull moments are in the Winter.
Ester - interesting theory. I had herbicide damage last year on some Arborvitaes in the back, but I don't think any has been used near the front.
Gintonio - Cladrastis is an unusual tree around here. I didn't know about it until I started gardening.
MMD, At least you're getting commiseration and lots of encouragement! ;-) I have no idea what's going on. Will you post photos of the blossoms you DO get, though?
I like your new header! (the thought occurred to me earlier that, as anxious as we were for Spring to arrive... it also means mosquitoes, wood ticks, poison ivy, etc.! ha)
The suspense is killing me already. ;-) My best bet would be to blame it on the weather ..... or the mosquito's. It is getting quite dangerous visiting your blog at the mo with all them mosquito's about. Bzzzzzzzz!
Shady - I actually dread summer. My kids have informed me that they will not be playing in the yard this summer because of the bugs. Wimps! I will post photos, if and when it blooms.
Yolanda Elizabet - I didn't mean that the blog comes with mosquito bites, I was referring to myself, MMD! :^)
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