Question
I have a NZ tea tree that was planted about 2.5yrs ago. Right now, it is about 12 feet tall. The trunk is about

1.5" in diameter and the branches come out of the trunk about 4 feet from the ground. It is very even all the way

around. It bloomed beautifully this past summer and has new green growth on the ends of the branches.

Unfortunately, the tree blew down partially in a storm. (One of the stakes broke and I replaced it. One on each side about a foot from the tree...)

I wonder if the roots never really spread out. I didn't slice down the root ball the way that I've heard you should.

Anyway, I'm wondering if I can get this tree back on course. Maybe dig it up and slice the side of the root ball? Any ideas appreciated.

Thanks


Answer
Rob,

The roots will spread out.  Don't dig up the tree.

I suspect that the problem arose from the original planting hole.  When planting trees the hole should be at least 2.5 times the diameter of the root ball and staked.  This disrupts the soil and allows the roots to grow easily.