Guaicum officinale 180 rotation

IF you are one of the few good men/women, who followed previous trend setting blogs in horticultural issues and miscelaneous, from yours truly, you may remember, the ball and burlap post, moons ago and the relocation of  yellow Plumeria, in the south garden more recently.

Now the time for the Guaiacum, in the west side is here.  A significant specimen in the collection, perhaps the most important one in my view, for its rarity in the San Juan urban context and not so urban environment isle wise.  It was a present with me since it was 4 inches tall in  2003.  Now at 9' and 12" circumference decided to grow towards the sidewalk/electrical wires. This tree is  beautiful without problematic organic waste with seeds/flowers or excessive leaves falling. It is not abundant and/or popular among the feeble minded people like our: landscape architects, landscape designers or proprietors of private or commercial properties. If interested go and do your own research, find out the relevance of this species in the history of our tropical hemisphere since the discovery or encountering of 2 cultures.

At any rate, while I was debating the future pruning of them branches growing towards the electrical wires and sidewalk for the rest of my living days; me wife, a genious, asked moi about the depth of the rooting system.
I, ignorant of her perspective replied: What is the deal, why does it matter?  She replied with the most incredible possibility: Why don't you rotate it?

Bright and simple, in theory.  Do not try this at home unless you have done it before. A ditch, around the trunk must be dug, to find the roots. As you know, most roots grow in the top 18 inches of any soil. While you dig, finding them roots it is necessary to cut them with pruners to get a clean cut, just as you would any branch.
Once you are in the right depth, push the tree one way--in my situation it felt to the right side--if it sways easily it is time to find the main root or roots as in this case, cut, lift and turn. 


If you watch these photos carefully, the ditch around is about 24'' , the ball was easily between 100/150 pounds, do not do this unless you are in good physical shape.  Once you have cut them roots with hand pruners or saw, it is safe to proceed..

I prefer to keep the patient straight, not stiff, with nylon/hemp strings, to allow some branch movement, that way the roots will develop the necessary resistance depending on wind direction.

The survival possibilities are 80 percent.  It will probably drop many leaves as a result of the stress, but it will be fine in a couple of weeks.  

In brief, any tree will create some problems in the long run, if not checked.  I spent four hours in this task, but will save hundreds of men/hours of pruning and cleaning. It is a matter of acting promptly, allowing the patient to keep its natural scaffolding, health and beauty.

 that is that