How normal is it for a Verawood Bulnesia arborea to grow only three inches in five years?

Answer 1

It may or may not be normal for Verawood [Bulnesia arborea] to grow only three inches in five years. It depends upon whether its environment is friendly or unfriendly to tree growth. Specifically, the tree tends to mature slowly but steadily to heights of around 30-40 feet/9-12 meters outside of its Colombian and Venezuelan native ranges. But at less than an inch of growth per year, it's possible that the tree's owner or caretaker may need to jumpstart the growth.

Verawood isn't a demanding tree once established since it tolerates drought, full sun, higher pH level soils of 6.6-8.5, and salt. But good growth spurts require well drained soils, and temperatures that tend not to plummet below 20-40 degrees Fahrenheit/-6.6-4.5 degrees Celsius.

Tree growth absolutely isn't helped by overwatering or overfertilizing. Until it's settled comfortably into its new home, the tree needs two fertilizer applications, in fall late in October and in spring late in February. Once its two or three year adjustment period is over, it only needs yearly fertilizer applications, in late October.

The tree may not need to be watered more than once every 10-14 days. Watering should be done before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m., to avoid the high evaporation rates that are side effects of the tree's need for full sun. Just put a soil probe or sharp object such as a sturdy writing instrument or screwdriver into the soil. The ground's too wet if the object comes out muddy. It's too dry if nothing sticks to the object's surface. It's appropriately moist if the object's surface is freckled or speckled with soil particles.