Young Hawthorn tree

i planted this young hawthorn last year; it's grown well and has produced all these flowers. I did recently reposition the stake as the wind was causing it to bend a fair bit, but it has drooped more and I'm concerned I may have damaged the roots maybe. Yesterday it did recover a bit as the sun was out and it definitely straightened, but with more rain and wind last night it is drooping again. Could the weight of all the flowers, which have recently blossomed, holding the rain, along with it being so exposed, cause this? I will be heading out to get a larger stake to give more support as it definitely needs that with the strong winds we get here in Wales!

 

Hi, welcome to the forum!

The top branches of the Hawthorn are quite thin and straggly and with the winds bashing them around and rain collecting on the heavy blossom, could cause the branches to droop. As you want it to grow as a tree, pruning off the stems (after flowering) may not be a good idea.

I'd suggest buying a tall, 3 inch wide stake and hammer it into the ground at a 45 degree angle. This provides a greater support against wind and is less likely to harm the roots. Adjustable rubber tree bands will keep it in place without damaging the bark.

Your fence looks seriously robust so screwing more of those eyed hooks into beams or posts behind the tree and using them to gently pull the upper section of the tree upright over a period of a few weeks (using strong, soft foam-coated twine) should train it to grow more vertically without harm to the tree.

 

Thanks for your reply. I've had a great time discovering this website today! I shall be heading out tomorrow to get a new stake. We had thought of using the fence to help as well - had thought of old tights! As said earlier, it seems the safest place for the stake would be near the edge of the border well away from roots?

 

Welcome reggie

 

It may also be trying to grow away from the fence towards the light in addition to previous posts.