Yucca Rostrata

[Jamie F]

I have a Yucca Rostrata, as seen in the pic. I am concerned that it could split where each head splits. What can I do to reinforce the tree to prevent that from happening? Whether it happens through high winds, or from snow weighting it down in the winter. Will take any suggestions. 

[BeyondTheGarden]

Unfortunately I don't know the solution to this, but I have seen yuccas split like you are talking about.  It's a very sad thing to see and I hope this doesn't happen to yours.  

If this were mine, I'd tie the two limbs together with some nylon strapping.  This isn't a very organic approach so I hope someone can chime in with some better advice.  

[buffy]

It could happen, but I haven't seen it happen. A neighbor has a large multiheaded rostrata that laughed at the 10 inches of snow it carried last winter. We also had a 4" wet snow event last year. I wouldn't worry too much. It will continue to divide. 

[GregVirginia7]

I had a big twin trunk oak tree that threatened to split down the middle. I called a tree service that came in and cabled the massive trunks together in two places…perhaps you could do that yourself with a drill, some small diameter cable and anterior plates that would mold to the trunk sides…like larger washers to anchor the cable to the trunks…drill the holes, thread the cable through and anchor each cable end to the trunk (not at all sure the anchors one would use) anyway, it’s a less obtrusive way to stabilize the two trunks…

…the rest of the story of the 80-year old twin trunk oak…a derecho blew through and twisted one of the trunks like it was made of play dough. One of the cables snapped but the other held till a tree service could get here to cut it down. Had the other cable snapped, it would have fallen on my neighbor’s house…now I know there is no comparison here, but the method, scaled down to the size of that beautiful Rostrata may be worth the effort. One that established and striking, can’t split…period.

 

[WSimpson]

Mine is forming 2 heads too , but it's too small to for me to worry about it splitting unless those flowers get super heavy . Actually the flowers could never split it  but they could weight the whole plant down to the ground . That actually happened with this plant , but it  is more stable now that is in a sunnier spot and growing straight up .

Will

 

Edited June 2, 2022 by Will Simpson

[Jimhardy]

yuc

[amh]

I have had a trunk break on a different species, but it was not caused by wind or snow, and the plant was growing in shade.

You could hide some straps under the heads for piece of mind, but that may cause more snow to accumulate on top.

[amh]

32 minutes ago, amh said:

I have had a trunk break on a different species, but it was not caused by wind or snow, and the plant was growing in shade.

You could hide some straps under the heads for piece of mind, but that may cause more snow to accumulate on top.

Sorry "peace" of mind.

Texas public schools.

[Albert Hartlage]

Rostrata seems to be the Plant for me?

Louisville Ky. , Zone 6, -4°, coldest we've had. Yucca or palm 8ft. Or taller.

Big pot work or in ground? (Back yard patio)

Thanks

Al