Bottle Brush Tree

Question

We planted a bottle brush tree for almost two years. It has grown well, and has always flowered. What concerns us is the stalk does not appear to have gained any girth. I’m sure if I removed the stakes that it would snap in two. Is this common? Does it take time for these stalks to gain girth?

Thanks,
Rich Gilbert

Answer 1

This is referred to as "legginess" in trees, and it is commonly a result of low light exposure or nutrient imbalances. See this article for more:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/established-plants-leggy.htm

Pruning, along with fixing any issues with light and nutrition, will help your tree become sturdier. You may want to encourage it to grow multiple trunks instead of just one. See these articles on pruning and care:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/bottlebrush
/pruning-bottlebrush-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/bottlebrush/growing-bottlebrush-plants.htm