Pruning rollinia problem

[MangoCountry]

Hi I'm new to the forum and this is my first post. All of my rollinia branches have died back after pruning. I sterilize my pruners with rubbing alcohol and have never had a problem with any other tree before. I was wondering if this is common or if there is a special technique involved. Thanks

[sahai1]

I don't have that problem with my Rollinia yet, good problem to have I think. 

Some trees just don't like to be pruned, for example Star Gooseberry, Bilimbi, Noni, I would think Rollinia would accept topping off woody branches.

[Johnny Redland]

Same thing with mine. It’s supposedly a vigorous grower in my area, but it doesn’t quite seem that way for me yet and hasn’t really taken to pruning, although it’s been quite dry here so maybe I’m rushing judgement. I do know that most potted Rollinia down here at nurseries quickly outgrow their pots and try to reach for the sky

[cbss_daviefl]

I had to cut my big rollinia tree down by 60% to stand it up straight after Irma.  It took it ok.

These trees are touchy. Maybe this winter was a bit too cold in your area for rollinia.  Some people believe some strains can handle a little more cold but others are tropical. It may be a watering issue.  I have a vigorous tree that always has a section dying back only to come back strong and another tree that is more level headed but stays dwarfish. I had a tree at my rental property die this winter, after at least 7 years in the ground.

[MangoCountry]

I wish it wasn't so dark id take a picture. The branches died back to sub branches not all the way to the trunk. I guess ill prune off the dieback and water more frequently as it has been bone dry here. The cold could also be a factor as it dropped to around 37 in February which completely defoliated my soursop. Thanks for your help.

[FlyingFoxFruits]

pretty common with biribas in FL, i see die back all the time, it seems like some limbs just abort...it's definitely a touchy tree in some cases, it hates root stress.

[pineislander]

I have heard exactly the same dieback-after-pruning story from another grower Berto here in Fort Myers. My one year old emerged from dormancy with very few twigs dry and pruning that small amount caused no problem.

[TropicalFruitHunters]

I get the same thing in my greenhouse.  Nice sized branches sometimes too.  Very frustrating.

[OCchris1]

I will say the same for me as well. However, the tree flourishes despite the small limb loss. Note: I haven't experienced any excessive diebacks. Chris

[Guanabanus]

I have that problem with mine also--- quite a bit of dieback, either with or without pruning.