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spiked loosestrife; bending tree branches #751885

Asked May 24, 2021, 5:48 PM EDT

(1) I picked up a spiked loosestrife plant at a friend's plant exchange a few weeks ago. I haven’t planted it because when I got home I couldn’t determine whether it was the same as Siberian loosestrife--a plant I know is an invasive. We live close to the Willamette River, and I don’t want to take a chance with a plant that could spread beyond our yard. What’s you recommendation? (2) We have a young red-leafed ornamental plum and a mature pink dogwood. Both have limbs that bend much more than they once did after rainfall. Is this because the cell structure of their limbs may have been damaged during the ice storm? Is there any way to correct this problem so what had been vertical or obtuse-angled limbs don’t become permanently bent towards the ground?

Clackamas County Oregon

Expert Response

https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/purple-loosestrife  This useful information is from Washington State and is helpful because not only does describe this invasive plant but it suggests other plants that it may be mistaken for with photos.

The other issue of branches bent over after an ice storm is a  common problem for certain trees and plants.  Some do recover their form but others may not.  Without nowledge of the tree in question the sheer weight of the leaved branches prevents it from regaining its previous form.  This may be a situation for you to consider careful pruning of that branch or trimming it off entirely. You may want to consider contacting a reputable contractor to do the pruning and they can look ahead to  diagnose other branches that may cause future problems.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 25, 2021, 4:00 PM EDT
Many thanks.  This is very helpful.


Best wishes,
Greg Smith

On Tue, May 25, 2021 at 1:00 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 25, 2021, 6:34 PM EDT

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