Leucaena leucocephala : Lead tree.
From a work colleague I got a rooted cutting of a Lead tree. (sensitive plan) This was around the 1996 time frame and I let that little sprout grow, hacked it back, let it grow and hacked it back some more. I elevated it way out of it's pot and now it is some crazy live chunk of wood. 2016 had enough of the over growth and size so major chopping. This was a do or die chopping as it just would not fit anywhere because it got so big. It did not die ...
The above Mama plant produced seeds 2018 and once before, and I put a bunch in some dirt. Many sprouted and happened that one sprouted very close to my grandson's birthday. Now 3 years old it is growing as nicely as I had hoped for. It is time for a trimming and removal of a sacrificial branch.
And the cut position:
One last little removal and I am done:
The idea is to make a snake shaped tree on a rock. The cut marks you can see, three of them, one has already grown over the cut. The branch on the right will be drawn down to make it droop a bit. Once the light levels get higher around here it will really start to grow, and I may have to trans plant it again this year. The thing about this tree species is that branches get hard and thick quickly and will try to grow from old wood. (I mean quickly in the sense that a branch that grows 18 inches in a year can be shaped that year and will harden off by the end of that year.) If you make a wrong cut, it is most likely you will be able to grow in a replacement very quickly. The branch that goes off to the right curves back and up towards the camara, is intended to be the main trunk and tree shape. Hard to see but it is covered in buds which will now grow because, that which was cut off shaded the rest of the tree. I have limited window space. By the end of the year it will look completely different. Also cool is that I showed the tree to my grandson when he was two, told him I was growing it for him, and we were looking at Mama just the other day and he said, "Just like the one you are growing for me".
Things I like about the Lead Tree:
not sure if it is possible to over water it. I call it a little water hog. This makes it easy to grow, just add water.
This tree grows very fast. In the wild it can grow 10 feet in a year.
The tree seems very tough and able to recover from that, "OMG I have to cut you back"
The bark gets very rough and old looking in but 10 or so years.
The leaves are very fine and can be made to be very compact if pruned regularly.
Things I do not like about the Lead Tree:
Needs lots of water, does not tolerate dryness for any length of time.
Roots tend to be very large and grow very quickly. They will actually push the tree out of the pot.
When in dry conditions, tends to get red spider and mealy bug. I have had a problem once with each bug, currently Mama is infected.
Best
Sckoarn
