Question

jacaranda   I fell in love with Jacaranda trees years ago and I am determined to have one.  He is in a 20" pot right now.  I got him when he was about 1' high.  He has a smaller one growing at his base which I was hoping to transplant and have 2 of them.  He has grown 3 feet since I got him.  Reading the article about stress, he is shedding his leaves.  I bring him inside every night.  When he is too big for the pot, I will plant him outside and wrap his trunk in the winter and put heaters up in his branches.  But he looks like he has developed a fungus or something at the top of his trunk. Any ideas/suggestions?  I live in Napa, CA.  Its been hot to warm lately.  But its getting cold enough at night to bring him in.  Can you help?  Don't want to lose him!  I trimmed off all the lower branches that had shed all their leaves.  I sure hope I didn't screw up too much!

Answer
Hi Patti,

I would really like to help you. Unfortunately, the image you sent is just not clear and I cannot be sure what is happening on the trunk.  Could you try to take a few more pictures of the trunk?  You may have to move back from the tree a bit to get it in focus.

In general, these trees are quite resiliant.  The tree may be losing leaves in response to changing daylight or shading.  Some plants do not like to be moved repeatedly, so you may want to go ahead and move it inside for the winter.

I look forward to seeing another picture or two.

--Jen