How to Care for a Elephant Tree Plant

Elephant trees (Bursera fagaroides) stand out with their stout trunks, peeling bark and dark green leaves, which exude a citrusy fragrance when managed. They grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9b into 11, where they are used as decorative trees or specimen plants in low-water landscapes. Trees need little attention or care once established at a sunny site with porous soil. But they are vulnerable to mistakes in civilization related to fertilizer, water and fever that may damage or kill elephant trees if they are permitted to happen.

Prune back any overhanging tree or trees branches that throw shade. Remove enough overhanging expansion to supply the elephant tree each day with at least half an hour of sun. Watch for increase in the sea tree because it might indicate it is not getting enough sun.

Examine the soil moisture with your finger twice per week during the summertime and warm water when the soil feels totally dry at the upper 4 inches. Water therefore the soil is moist 4 inches deep. Don’t water during wet cold or foggy weather. Provide enough water to prevent the trunk.

Dissolve 4 tablespoons of compost in 1 gallon of water and then use it monthly from midspring until summer. Elephant trees just if their soil is sandy or very poor. Use fertilizer with an ratio of 5-10-10 or 10-20-20 to reduce growth. Don’t fertilize during the winter.

Prune off any side shoots or crossed branches to create a shape to show off the attractive trunk of the elephant tree, or prune the key branches back to control the size of the tree and promote a fuller shape. Wear gloves when trimming elephant trees because they produce sticky sap that will stick to skin care.

If temperatures are predicted to drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit cover elephant trees that are youthful. Use burlap or other breathable fabric to cover the tree instead of impermeable material such as plastic. Moisten the upper layer of soil because moist soil retains and releases warmth than dry soil.

Watch dropped fractures in the trunk, foliage in the summer and a general lack. Stop watering if the trunk develops cracks or if the soil feels moist a couple of days after watering. Summertime foliage drop or leaves indicate a nutrient imbalance, so stop fertilizing if these signs appear.

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