The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Tree Draggin

Had to cut down two full grown Bradford Pear trees that were to close to my house. They were sucking the moisture from my foundation and creating big problems. One was over a foot in diameter. I had to enlist the aid of my 62, 3/4 for this job.

I backed it up to the trees and secured a comealong to the bumper hitch. Set the parking brake (a piece of 4x4) and cinched it tight so that the tree would be pulled away from the house when it fell. After it was down, I attached a chain to the base and dragged it into the field. It was a bit dicey though because the trunk was digging into the ground. I jacked it up and stuck a piece of old plywood under there to get it off the mark. Who needs a tractor when you've got a bolt?

Now, anybody know how to get some of those Bradford Pear clippings to sprout new roots? I'm hoping to transplant them for sentimental reasons.

You cut trees because you thought they were too close to your house? Those trees had a great life there. They had rights and feelings. You should have bulldozed the house. It never should have been built so close to those trees in the first place.

I just love cutting trees.

Tree Killer! You probably did not even recycle the trees after you murdered them. Just did it for the thrill didn't you. Disgusting display of wanton meaningless destruction on your part. You could have at least turned the wood into boards for the truck bed.

houston54, me thinks you have been out in the texas sun to long!!!!!!!!!!ron

Could be the scotch talkin there.

Yeah yeah yeah... Now how do I get the clippings to sprout roots?

Pick a small shoot with a few leaves on it. cut the end at a 45 deg and dust it with Rootenone(sp) rooting compound. Cut all the leaves off but one and put the twig in vermiculite with a little water and a lots of sun...get ready to pick pears!


Stuart

Bradford pears are grown on the rootstock of a hardier but less attractive pear tree. Bradford pears grown on their own rootsock won't live long in Texas.

You won't get pears from a Bradford.

Tab, Did you notice any suckers coming off the tree before you dragged it away (oh, the thought of that is horrifying)? Those would be what you would want to stick in the soil to root. Those are the trees natural ways of propogating and have the best chance to survive.

If none of those ... any suckers in the branches (suckers grow straight up in the air rather than actually branch out).

If none of those either, get as many young tips as you can, preferable near the top of the tree. Most of the "directions for growing" are there and you may have a chance at rooting the trees. Cut and plant a bunch (into a pot) where you can water frequently until all the other trees are dormant. You may need to baby it a year but it will be worth it.

There are regular pear trees in an old field nearby and I hope to get a few of those.

If the Bradford doesn't work for you, can we send you some acorns. We have about 5 million in the front yard right now. No charge!

Peg

First he killed the tree now he wants to save a bit of it only to steal its fruit for human consmption. Bad tab Bad tab. lol
Just kidding.

Houston, If I didn't know you so well I would have you bring your big trailer(and scotch)

For all others, I cut it to firewood for my friends. (won't split it tho)

atomarc: Thanks for that info. I bought some Schultz, “TakeRoot” , rooting hormone which I assume is the same stuff as what you recommended. The active ingredient is “Indole-3-butyric Acid” Now to find some vermiculite....

Peggy: Didn’t notice any suckers. I hated to cut those trees down (not to mention that it was dangerous) but I had to do it. I will go out right away and get some cuttings from the top of the tree.

I planted a ton of Live Oak, acorns on my two acres about 15 years ago. I now have lots of live oaks and they are dropping more acorns. Pretty soon I’ll be up to my wazoo in oak trees AND squirrels. The dogs are already giving chase... I also collected some of those HUGE acorns ( the ones with the big “hats” with the “fur” trim. lol... ) from some old growth trees in Trinity Park, Fort Worth. I’ll send you some if you like. They grow HUGE oak trees. I have one started on my property that’s about 6’ tall. It should begin to suck water from my foundation when I’m, oh, about ninty, so that tree stays!

Tim

I never messed with pear trees but I always mixed 60% pro-mix with 40% vermiculite for my clippings.I would cut through the lump at the beginning of a small branch,saving 2/3 of the lump with the clipping,then I would dip the cut end in the root powder and stick it about 1 1/2 inches in the promix.I liked to stick an empty sandwich baggie loosely over the top of the clipping for a few days to lock in some moisture,made kinda like a little greenhouse for it,good luck.

I like the "lump" idea. THANKS!

Tab, watch out for those squirrels. I call them tree rats. I have problems with them getting into my attic to make nests. They will chew up anything they can wrap their jaws around, including electical wiring, television cable, and any keepsakes you may have in the attic. While they are cute little animals, they can be very destructive. Mothballs in my attic have slowed down the destruction. Live traps work, but also catch birds, cats, and cotton tails.

As far as the pear trees are concerned, it looks like you are on the right track. I have never started roots from clipping of a tree before, but I have been successful at growing roses that way.

Phil: Thanks! Yeah, ever since I grew a bunch of live oaks, the squirrels have been targeting me for a free lunch. So far so good though. The oaks are not huge yet and do not overhang my home. The metal roof should make it less squirrel friendly too and my dogs just hate the little fuzzy things. lol... It's the way squirrels move and behave that drives them nuts.

I have heard that "rose" people look for rare roses from which they take clippings to replant. Supposedly roses root easily. I think that trees are tougher to root. If I fail to root the twigs, I will dig up some root stock and start anew.