Tortuous trees: origin and types

The crooked trees are awesome

Image - Wikimedia / Jean-Pol GRANDMONT

You may think that tortuous trees are made by humans, but the truth is that although it is possible to make a plant like this, nature is the one who makes sure that, sometimes, some species grow that way.

But Why do crooked trees exist exactly? What are those natural forces that force them to twist their branches and / or trunks? And, most importantly: can they be grown in a garden?

The development of crooked trees

Crooked trees are curious plants

Image - Wikimedia / Tortuosa

When the seed of a tree sprouts, the seedling grows almost always straight, towards the most powerful light source that is the Sun. Even those that need shade, develop vertically since their leaves depend on the light that reaches them to carry out photosynthesis, and therefore, to produce food and grow .

But At what point do they become devious? Well, this is going to depend a lot on genetics: if his parents were devious, he will be too; But if only one of the two was, the odds drop to 50%. It can also happen that the gene mutates, giving rise to this curious growth. And that's not all: the climate and the available space in which it grows will also influence In its development.

And, for example, a tree that grows alone in an area where the wind blows strongly and almost always from the same side, will cause the plant to have few branches in the most exposed part, and long branches growing horizontally on the other side. But, if that same tree is surrounded by plants, its trunk and / or branches can twist in order to capture more light.

In a garden this looks easy: when one is planted too close to a wall or another large plant, the trunk leans forward. Personally, I really like that it looks like this, but you have to be careful not to plant it too close, otherwise it could fall off as an adult. Ideally, leave at least one meter between the -adult- trunk and the wall as long as it does not have invasive roots (if it does, it is preferable to plant it at about 5 meters or more; here you have more information).

Can they be grown in a garden?

The answer is yes, but for this you need to have space. These trees tend to develop very wide crowns, 4 meters or more in diameter, so they should not be kept in small gardens. You could choose to prune them, but then we would take away any ornamental value.

In any case, we recommend you take a look at the species that we show you below. All of them are really impressive:

List of tortuous trees

Even if it is just out of curiosity, it is always good to know the different trees that we can have in a garden. Some of those that develop tortuous trunks are as follows:

Fagus sylvatica f. devious

The Fagus sylvatica Tortuosa is a deciduous tree

Image - Wikimedia / Tortuosa

In this kind of beech which has a tortuous trunk and branches. It is deciduous, green during the warm months, and yellow in autumn. It can measure up to 10 meters in height, and develops a wide crown of 4-5 meters. It grows slowly, so you have to be patient. In addition, it needs fertile, slightly acidic soils. Otherwise, it resists up to -18ºC.

Robinia pseudoacacia f. devious

Robinia pseudoacacia tortuosa is a fast growing tree

Image - vdberk.es

La Robinia pseudoacacia f. devious it is a deciduous tree that reaches a height of 10-15 meters. As it happens to all the tortuous trees, during its youth it has a normal development, but as time goes by the branches twist. It also produces cream-colored flowers in spring. The best thing is that it can be grown in subtropical climates and temperate, as it resists temperatures between 38ºC and -25ºC.

Salix matsudana f. devious

The crooked willow is a medium tree

Image - Wikimedia / Sally V

It is known by the name of tortuous willow, and It is a deciduous tree that reaches a height of 8 meters with a 4 meter wide crown. It grows fast, and tolerates various types of soils, except those that are very heavy and / or not very fertile. The downside is that it is vulnerable to attack by log miners. But otherwise it resists up to -20ºC.

Styphnolobium japonicum var pendula

The japonica sophora can have a tortuous growth

Image - Wikimedia / Jean-Pol GRANDMONT

Formerly known as Sophora japonica var pendula, is a deciduous tree that reaches 10 meters in height. Over time it develops a very irregular crown, with hanging or weeping and tortuous branches, up to 4 meters wide. It needs sun, and moderate watering. Resists up to -15ºC.

Ulmus minor f tortuous

The lesser tortuous elm is a fast growing plant

Image - Wikimedia / Tom elm

It is a European elm that reaches 12 meters in height. It develops a crown about 4 meters wide, from which small green leaves sprout that fall in autumn / winter. Its growth rate is fast, but it cannot lack direct sunlight, water in moderation, and fertile soils. It resists frosts down to -12ºC.

What did you think of the crooked trees?


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