jacaranda tree

[marie thostesen]

i have planted a seed of a jacaranda tree from zimbabwe. it has been growing for half a year in a pot first inside in a light window, then it spent summer outside. I have now taken it in again, and it starts losing its leaves. What do I do? I would like it to grow like a tree instead of just shooting upwards. Can I cut it down and how?

 

[Stumper]

It may be losing its leaves due to the drop in light levels and the season. I assume that you mean that you would like to have a miniature tree in the pot. Branching of the seedling is something that occurs naturally with age. A "heading cut" on a sapling is not usually disastrous but an indiscrimate cut probably won't be beneficial. I would suggest cutting it back very lightly to encourage branching in the next growing season. Cut to a bud or node.(The leader (trunk/stem) has a bud on the end -removing that will encourage side shoots next season. Move down a short distance from that terminal bud. Look for lumps along the side of the stem and cut slightly above one.