Cordyline Australis trunk problem?

[Paradise Found]

Hi, should I be concern about this split in the trunk. A few years ago it was small but now with the trunk growing wider so has this damaged part.  The inside is hard as a rock just like the outside trunk.  Should I not worry about it? 

[Silas_Sancona]

55 minutes ago, Paradise Found said:

Hi, should I be concern about this split in the trunk. A few years ago it was small but now with the trunk growing wider so has this damaged part.  The inside is hard as a rock just like the outside trunk.  Should I not worry about it? 

Would keep an eye on it to play it safe..  but,  As long as the trunk is otherwise solid / has no apparent soft areas in this section, I'd say you should be ok..  Going w/ the 2nd picture, ..Looks like this is old damage that has / is continuing to heal over ( Cambium layer growing over the damaged area ). 

 Because it is single- trunked, vs. having 2 / more heads,  less likely it would split down the middle, imo. In the case of multiple heads, that split might be a weak point that x branch connected to it could break off.
 

[Paradise Found]

It is a single trunk one the tallest one I have and I have a lot of them at different heights.  This one is around 14'-16' tall. It bloom for the first time this summer.  I don't mind it being a single, and yes it was an old wound. The living tissue healed itself up good. 

Thanks for your input. 

I won't worry about it.... Unless it get really cold like 15F or colder. 

 

Edited October 20, 2021 by Paradise Found

[Chester B]

I’ve seen it before on them. I don’t think it’s an issue.  I can’t believe you got them this big in 8a. One heck of a microclimate you’ve got going on. 
 

They seem to grow pretty fast. I yanked one after a year of growth and it had to be 3’ around. I think for sure I’m going to put some more green ones back in my landscape. I actually like the plain old green ones the best. 

Edited October 21, 2021 by Chester B

[Paradise Found]

The last time it got really cold I wrapped the trunk with a blanket thats why it is so tall. But there are lots of good example of tall ones in town.  I like the colorful ones as focal points in the garden, they don't grow as fast as the green ones but they do brighten up the garden. 

[Chester B]

Yes the colorful ones are nice pops of color, but I like the structure and look of big green ones.

[Paradise Found]

11 minutes ago, Chester B said:

Yes the colorful ones are nice pops of color, but I like the structure and look of big green ones.

The green ones are hardier an more beefier thats for sure.  Trunks get massive too at a certain age. 

[Chester B]

3 hours ago, Paradise Found said:

The green ones are hardier an more beefier thats for sure.  Trunks get massive too at a certain age. 

Some pretty big ones around here but not as large of the mature specimens at the coast.  Funny thing is I spent months in New Zealand but never paid attention to plants back then so have no memory of seeing them there.

[Merlyn]

I was thinking of adding a couple of these for color.  Do you know if these require lots of water (like Hawaiian Ti types) or a more dry area?

[Paradise Found]

3 hours ago, Merlyn said:

I was thinking of adding a couple of these for color.  Do you know if these require lots of water (like Hawaiian Ti types) or a more dry area?

They just need regular weekly watering is all, not in a consistently wet place. 

Edited October 22, 2021 by Paradise Found

[Merlyn]

56 minutes ago, Paradise Found said:

They just need regular weekly watering is all, not in a consistently wet place. 

That would work well in my backyard, which is pretty sandy and drains fast.  Various Tis have suffered there, and they thrive in my front yard bed that gets drenched every morning.  I can pick up a couple of Australis pretty easily, that would be great for some color against my relenting sea of green...