Author Topic: Should I prune this ice cream bean tree?  (Read 1592 times)

hawkfish007

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 389
    • Highland, CA, 9b
    • View Profile
Should I prune this ice cream bean tree?
« on: July 23, 2019, 11:26:54 PM »
This seedling has been in ground since February of this year and grown almost to 10’. It is leaning to one side due to weight probably, I staked it with 7’ t-post, but it grew past it. It is close to home so I would like to keep it below 15’ and still want to get some fruits. Should I prune it to encourage side branches?



hawkfish007

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 389
    • Highland, CA, 9b
    • View Profile
Re: Should I prune this ice cream bean tree?
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2019, 11:49:20 PM »
Wrong thread, Mod please delete or move it to Tropical Fruit section.

Thanks.

Oolie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1282
    • San Diego
    • View Profile
Re: Should I prune this ice cream bean tree?
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2019, 02:15:43 AM »
Depends on how much shade you desire. They get big quick, and form a dense canopy.

FV Fruit Freak

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 643
    • USA, Southern California, Fountain Valley, 10B
    • View Profile
Re: Should I prune this ice cream bean tree?
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2019, 11:35:36 PM »
I would. I accidentally snapped my leader branch over the winter while moving it and was initially bummed. But this spring it grew better than anytime before. You’ll just have two main shoots instead of one, but that just means more fruiting branches. Be careful with it near the foundation of your home,, it has shallow roots that can become invasive.
Nate

sahai1

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 524
    • NST, THAILAND
    • View Profile
Re: Should I prune this ice cream bean tree?
« Reply #4 on: July 26, 2019, 12:26:43 AM »
I have one in full sun, and one in partial shade, both have grown in such a way that the leader has grown too tall for its weight, fell over, and new side leaders have come up to compete forming threes naturally. 

I'm going to wait until mine has some real woody growth before topping.

hawkfish007

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 389
    • Highland, CA, 9b
    • View Profile
Re: Should I prune this ice cream bean tree?
« Reply #5 on: July 26, 2019, 01:20:37 AM »
Thanks for sharing your experiences with growing ice cream bean tree. I will likely prune just over the t-post to encourage 2 leaders. I will be keeping it tall enough to produce fruits and prune heavily.

pineislander

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2199
    • Bokeelia, FL
    • View Profile
Re: Should I prune this ice cream bean tree?
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2019, 07:49:24 AM »
They respond well to coppicing at about chest height.
https://vimeo.com/47501911

shot

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 967
    • usa fl bokeelia 10
    • View Profile
Re: Should I prune this ice cream bean tree?
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2019, 08:54:26 AM »
That inga video is fantastic ,multi use plant firewood,soil building ect.Inga vera grows the most lush on pineisland ,could be used like in video.

http://www.worldagroforestry.org/treedb/AFTPDFS/Inga_vera.PDF

FV Fruit Freak

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 643
    • USA, Southern California, Fountain Valley, 10B
    • View Profile
Re: Should I prune this ice cream bean tree?
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2019, 12:46:43 PM »
Inga
« Last Edit: February 22, 2020, 03:57:59 AM by FV Fruit Freak »
Nate

pineislander

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2199
    • Bokeelia, FL
    • View Profile
Re: Should I prune this ice cream bean tree?
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2019, 09:44:38 PM »
That inga video is fantastic ,multi use plant firewood,soil building ect.Inga vera grows the most lush on pineisland ,could be used like in video.

http://www.worldagroforestry.org/treedb/AFTPDFS/Inga_vera.PDF
Shot I took the seeds from 10 lbs Inga fruit I bought from your mom and planted them centered between all my rows of 2 year old fruit trees, two seeds in each position 8 feet apart, and in between banana trees spaced 8 feet apart. My idea is to use banan and Inga to generate mulch for the tree rows until the main trees get established. I got about 75% of the seeds to germinate in place and will be trialing several other legumes for any which fail. I have about 30 Gliricidia, some candlestick cassia, and even some ear acacia and leucaena I want to trial.
Thanks.