Harry Lauder Walking Stick

I have a Harry Lauder Walking Stick 'Contorta', Corylus avellana, that I planted last year. It is grafted and seems a fairly vigorous grower, both from the root stock and top growth, over 1 ft. since last spring for top growth, I am continually removing long suckers from the root stock. Directly next to it a new water, sewer and gas line were installed at a depth of 4 ft. Will the shrub have to be moved to avoid problems?
Thank you

Come now gentlemen, I know this tree is deemed a "girl" tree but somebody out there should be able to answer her question based on experiences with clients. I've not heard of this plant being big trouble like a Weeping Willow but I have not heard of anyone planting one directly next to where a new water, sewer, and gas line were installed. This sounds like she could have a valid cause for concern to me.

Maybe it should be renamed Harriet Lauder. I think I'd be more concerned about someday digging it up and hitting the gas line. I'm a bit jealous of the top growth you're getting, though. Mine (I mean hers) is on its own roots, but has been an incredibly slow grower. Is this typical for own roots vs. grafted? We've had it about five years now and I'd say it has averaged maybe 2" per year. I talked my wife into moving it last year to a less desirable site, and I periodically threaten to yank it out just to get her goat. I'm not a big fan, but she loves it. Same with romantic movies.

I believe it should be fine and I don't think it is a "girl" tree but then I'm probably not the best to say. My parents have a 12-15' tree in the backyard that has been there some time. Roots are not that aggressive but you may want to insert a "bamboo barrier" or sheet of plexiglass or something like that to prevent the roots from getting tangled in with the lines. Most of these are grafted and the suckers come up from below, at and above the graft. I've always cut them off and used them for arrangements because they seem to have better shape than the plant itself. If you want to reduce the number of suckers, twist off the suckers when you remove them and it prevent future shoots.

Why thank you Maackia and growin! I love the look of these trees but many of you have teased me in the past for liking them.

Plexiglass would be an effective barrier? No kidding. Thank you for that suggestion. I'll have to keep that in the back of my mind to use someday.

Thank you, Maackia and growin, for the information. Ah, if only I had posted earlier before they closed up the huge trench I wouldn't have to dig to put down a barrier. The barrier sounds like a perfect solution. The tip for twisting rather then cutting the suckers is appreciated.
Equil, thanks for jump starting the thread.
Maackia, maybe I'm getting more top growth because I'm training it up along 4 poles. It certainly didn't look promising when I got the root ball out of the container, pure solid immovable clay. After wrestling with it for 2 hrs. I planted it and took my chances.

Semperfi,

Here in over-zoned Wisconsin I may have to get a building permit to do something like that. ;>)

Ah Maackia, not only is it a girl plant you're making fun of one of my "structures".
Now that you mention not wanting to dig into any of the lines , right over all those new gas, water, sewer, and electric lines there was a huge old azalea. Can I put any plants back in that area safely? I know that the azalea is shallow rooted but it took 2 guys to dig it out and replant it. Would it be better to ask this question in the design forum?
Semperfi?

I'm a little late on this, but I don't think you have much to worry about if your utility lines are four feet deep. Still, I would consider getting a cutting-rooted HLWS and placing it a little farther away, then dumping the grafted sucker-maker.

Guy S.

Guy,
HLWS?

Ahem, Harry Lauder's Walking Stick (HLWS). LOL

I love how you are training it up the bamboo, with the little balls on top. Where did you get those? Makes it look much more like a structural element. I've always wanted one, HLWS that is.

PrairieGirlZ5 Oh dear, I certainly have egg on my face. LOL. And I thought it was a wonderful new way to take a cutting. I will never have any credibility on this site.
I got the straw balls at IKEA

Kewl.

BTW You have not lost any credibility whatsoever in my eyes.

IKEA? I Know Everything Already?

Sempervirens:

We all use a little shorthand here, FYI; it gets the word out ASAP so that we can include FWIW all our opinions PDQ.

Straw balls? You shouldn't give it up so easily. I could imagine little faces in them, to which you should reply to those who might scoff:

"Those are the shrunken heads of the last posters who mocked my work."

Stop them right in their tracks, and make 'em think twice.

Semperfi = shorthand and quick allusion to Sempervirens. See Guido = Guy; Equivocate = Equilibrium; Decrepit = Decumbent.

Terms of Endearment, if you will.