Q.Why Is My Catalpa Leading Out Only At The Tops Of The Branches (like A Lollipop). The Rest Of The Branch, Where Leaves Were Last Y
ear are bare? I have a one year old catalpa tree and it leafed out but only at the tops of the branches (like a lollipop). The rest of the branch, where leaves were last year are bare.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Yes. This is typical of the Catalpa. Being incredibly large trees, they will stretch the trunk and appear bare as it prepares to be a trunk. It is worth noting that they are extraordinarily prone to falling apart and breaking. I wouldn't let it branch out much. It is meant to have a singular trunk that is straight up. Any main shoots that make their way at an angle Can fall over and break as it gets older. So be sure to keep any competing branches from the base pruned out. Some recommend pruning once the tree starts to get too tall to reach. While this is nice for shape and structure... it can become a hazard, later, unless you prune constantly to avoid larger, more mature branches.
