50 responses

1. Hello, I have just purchased my very first cussonia spicata and am wanting to plant is in the ground but am afraid of the damage the root system which may cause damage to water pipes, electrical cables underground, not to mention the foundation of the house. I have read useful comments on this chat , that planting in a large pot is not viable yet planting in the ground will allow the roots to grow, hence the tree itself will be healthy. I need advice on what I must do?

2. Hi Clare

   Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

   Cussonia paniculata naturally grow in rocky areas and in order to acquire nutrients will send their roots through tiny cracks and grow strong enough to break rocks.

   Whilst they are beautiful sculptural plants they are not suitable for planting within 10 metres of any structure as the root system can be very aggressive below the ground.

   As sad as it is to remove established trees, I would recommend doing so before further damage results. Merely cutting the roots will cause the trees to be unstable and they will grow back, making it an on-going project.

   Flourish!
   Glenice

3. Hi Glenice,
   I have 3 Cussonia paniculatas planted next to each other. I cannot understand how a landscape gardener years ago chose these trees to plant about 2 metres from a neighbour’s wall which is lifting. A hole was dug about 30 cm from the wall and the roots seem to be a mass on top of each other. How deep would they go as a trench could be dug and the roots cut, preventing them from doing any damage?
   I am loath to cut them down. They’re about 5 1/2 metres high.

4. Hi Gerhard

   Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

   Cussonia paniculata has an extensive root system so it could be difficult to transplant without extensive root damage. However, as they can successfully grow from truncheon, it may be worthwhile giving it a try.

   Flourish!
   Glenice

5. My neighbour sold the house and the new owners cut down many trees – I try to salvage a few/ Can you transplant a cabbage tree which is about three meters high?

6. Hi Christina

   Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

   It sounds like your tree may be affected by the polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB), (Euwallacea fornicatus) which has ravaged many tree species around the country with a particularly high rate in your area.

   It would be best for you to contact an arborist to assess the tree and recommend an action to possibly save it.

   Flourish!
   Glenice

7. Our Kiepersol tree has been happily growing in our townhouse garden in Randburg for decades before we moved in 12 years ago. It is a magnificent tree about 20 to 25 metres tall. We often found ourselves picking up fallen branches and leaves over these years but the tree always had a healthy foliage. Three years ago, I noticed small amounts of golden sap at the bottom quarter of our tree. Now lately, foliage of leaves and branches are falling in clumps right through the day. It has never looked this sad.

8. Hi Matilda

   Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

   It would be best to use the services of a professional tree feller for this and request that they remove the stump as well.

   Flourish!
   Glenice

9. Hi
   My cusoninia paniculata is about 20 years old and has grown to about 16 ft.

   It’s less than 10 ft from the neighbor’s house and I’m concerned the roots will damage their foundation and/or get into their water pipes.

   I need to remove it and make sure to kill the
   root system. What’s the most effective way to do that?

   Thanks in advance for your help.

10. Hi Jerry

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Your tree sure does sound magnificent and was probably on your property long before the house was built.

    This species tends to lose limbs as it grows so this could be natural. Cussonia paniculata is however commonly susceptible to attack from the shot hole borer, so it may be worthwhile contacting an arborist to inspect your tree for signs of this which can be possibly be treated before it kills the tree and spreads to surrounding vegetation.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

11. Gooday,
    We live in the hills of Roodepoort.
    We have a Kiepersol tree, probably the largest I’ve ever seen.
    The base is 4 metres in circumference, and estimated height is around 16 metres.
    12 large main branches.
    For about 3 years now about 9 of the tallest smaller, leaf baring branches have not any carried leaves. The remainder 20 tips show normal new growth/ new leaves sprouting.
    Any idea why the same 9 are not sprouting after so long

12. Hi Ruan

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    It sounds like your Cussonia paniculata (Kiepersol) has been attacked by the Polyphagous shot-hole borer. It would be best to remove and destroy what remains of the tree as this could spread to other trees in your garden and neighbourhood.

    Look out for tiny holes in the bark with sap oozing out. In advanced stages trees will loose a limb.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

13. Hello

    We had a real monster of a Kiepersol in our garden. The tree was very happy and even had a lot of birds living in it creating it’s own little eco system.

    Living for 8 years at the house now and all of a sudden all the leaves started to fall off. The bark also started going soft.

    Nothing changed, didn’t water more than the usual, no funny insects noticed, only some tree sap, which I haven’t noticed before. Then it went south quickly. Cut off one small branch and was wrotten inside.

    Any idea what might have happened?

    Thank you

14. Hi Ashley

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    It sounds like your Cussonia spicata may have root rot due to excessive watering which could be a result of the high rainfall over December.

    You seem to have provided adequate drainage so they should recover in drier weather. It may also be worthwhile to change the planting medium to a 50:50 ratio of riversand and topsoil to allow for faster drainage as the roots do not like to sit in moist soil as this could harbour fungae which could affect the health of the plants.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

15. Hi I’ve lost a few Cussonia spicata’s I’ve planted in large pots . The roots seem soggy and even the top seemed rotten . I have drainage holes and stones in the bottom of the pot . The pot is at a slight angle as on a slope . Any advise please

16. Hi Nic

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook and sorry to hear about your accident.

    Cussonia species usually develop side shoots if the apical growth gets damaged, so perhaps yours will recover from this unfortunate incident. Keep up the regular maintenance and look out for this in the coming months.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

17. Hi I recently planted a kiepersal still small I was watering the garden and stood on it breaking the top leafy area off will it still grow or did I kill It? I feel awful was an accident and don’t know much about these tree

18. Hi Jeanne

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    This definitely doesn’t sound right and it may be best to get an arborist to inspect your tree as it may be something serious which could spread to other species in your garden.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

19. Hi Piet

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Cussonia paniculata is usually quite hardy and usually recovers in spring if affect by frost. The hardiness will depend on the age of your specimen as well as the conditions in your location.

    If your tree was planted less than 3 years ago, it may be beneficial to apply frost protection around the trunk (either frost protector fabric or tall grasses) for the duration of winter.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

20. Is it a good idea to cover my Kiepersols to protect them from frost

21. Our old Cussonia Spicata (it may be 15 years +) on the West Coast of the Western Cape, has suddenly sprouted many low side-branches with profuse new leaves (of which many turned black within days) during late summer and fall. All the leaves from the crown are now falling off. The poor tree does not look happy. What should I do apart from regular watering (less now with the rainy season starting) and 2-weekly fertiliser?

22. Hi Angelique

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    The age of your tree will determine the transplant success – a younger tree will transplant easier.

    It’s important to get as much of the root ball as possible and if possible, do the transplant towards the end of winter as the plant is slightly dormant and undergoes less transplant shock.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

23. hi

    can i replant my cabbage tree and if so how?

24. Hi Tilania

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Propagating trees from seed is highly rewarding and as Cussonia paniculata is rarely parasitised, the germination success rate is high under optimal conditions.

    Allow the fruit to mature on the tree before picking the seeds. The fruit matures to purple when mature, so monitor your tree towards the end of the fruiting season in order to harvest fresh seeds.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

25. I want to propagate the seeds in Gauteng and see the fruiting season is April/May. When can I pick the seeds?

26. Hi Pippa

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Cussonia paniculata will resprout new growth from cut branches and it’s best to do this during the active growing season.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

27. Hello.
    Is it possible to get my cabbage tree to produce new growth lower down the trunk? It is health and has a lovely canopy and flowers regularly.

28. Hi Gill

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    It sounds like your Cussonia was hit by frost over winter which is quite normal for this species and it usually does not kill be plant. With shoots appearing, there are definite signs of life so rather allow these to form fully. You could prune the tree to reduce it’s height but bear in mind that this could negatively alter its form.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

29. My Cussons panaculata has had green flowers at the top Which have gradually turned black in the winter and were pointing downwards! They have all now either fallen off or I have taken them off leaving a knotted top! There are small green shoots up the side of the tree so I’m thinking it’s still alive! Will it recover? Can I saw the tree a bit lower as it’s about 3-4 metres tall or will that damage it, it’s a very tall nice looking bark. I assume it’s still alive? Help please?

30. Hi Nardus

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    I find that planting any tree in a pot restricts its growth as they really need space to a grow healthy root system. Cussonia paniculata typically has an aggressive root system so if you do plant it in a pot, your container may eventually crack. Also remember to raise the pot above the ground otherwise the roots are likely to root through the drainage holes to find more space and nutrients in the ground.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

31. Hi there

    Is potting a kiepersol an absolute no-no?

32. Hi Ronel

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    It sounds like your tree has become pot-bound. Cussonia species typically have a large root system making them unsuitable for containers. It may be best to transfer it to the ground in order for it to have adequate space to develop fully.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

33. Hallo

    I please need advice on how to care for a cussonia paniculata that is growing in a huge container.
    It is about 10 years old. I live in a area that gets summer and winter rainfall but a bit more in winter. No frost.
    The tree never seems to flourish. It gets sun all day long.
    I will aprecciate your help.

34. Hi Tom

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Cussonia paniculata has an aggressive root sytem. When removing, it’s best to let the soil rest undisturbed for a season before planting something new or replenish the soil with topsoil enriched with compost.

    Perhaps also try to grow something indigenous and hardy in the interim such as Melinis repens (Natal redtop).

    Flourish!
    Glenice

35. Hi there. We have recently had to remove two cussonia paniculata as the roots were destroying our paving area. We obviously couldn’t get all the roots out [some were over 200mm thick] and it seems that all the plants we have subsequently planted over the old roots, are dying. It is likely that the old roots are leaching or something that is killing the new plantings of Kangaroo Paws?

36. Hi Michael

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    It could be that your tree was hit by frost. You could cut back the dying parts and your tree should resprout new shoots.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

37. My tree has produced seeds and overtime these seed have turned brown and the tree seems to be dying. At the head of the tree where the seeds are it has become soft should I be cutting back the seeds/top of tree?

38. Hi Anandi

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Cussonia paniculata are susceptible to frost.

    You could try cutting back the dead plant matter and the plant may regenerate new growth this summer.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

39. We stay in Lydenburg and had verry bad frost this year. It appears that our kiepersol is dying. Will priluning the dead stem assist in reviving the tree?

40. Hi Nicolene

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Your tree seems to be young enough to transplant and it would be best to do so in winter. Take care to remove as much of the root ball as possible and ensure that the new location is at least 5m from any structure as the roots can be quite aggressive.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

41. Hi there,

    I want to please find out whether my tree can be replanted in a new garden?
    It is about 3 – 4 years old. It has 2 very thin, smooth, tall trunks with leaves only at the top.
    About 2 metres high I’d guess.

42. Hi Denise

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Your tree may have formed only two stems due to competition for light with other trees in your garden. While Cussonia species can grow back if the branches are cut back, be careful as you may lose the structure and possibly the tree if it cannot withstand the stress of the loss. It may be worthwhile consulting an arborist to advise you on site as there could be other factors to consider before chopping the branches.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

43. Can I cut my Cussonia back to make it bush out – at the moment it consists of two tall trunks with leaves just at the top. I live on the coast and my garden has to cope with strong winds.

44. Hi Chris

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Transplanting a large Cussonia paniculata is not an easy task. It will involve the use of heavy lifting equipment e.g. mechanised diggers, cranes to lift the tree and trucks to transport it. It’s certainly not a DIY task and I’d recommend you contact a tree specialist for assistance.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

45. Can you transplant a large cussonia and how do you do it?
    Thanks

46. Hi Yo

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    If your tree has flowered previously, then some growing condition has changed which is stressing the tree.

    Some points to investigate further:
    – Check your watering routine – avoid over-watering.
    – Check the general health of the tree – the leaves should be healthy with new growth.
    – Check the health of surrounding plants
    – Determine whether your plant receiving enough sunlight

    Flourish!
    Glenice

47. My 7 year old cabbage tree has not yet flowered. Please advise.

48. Hi Linda

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Without knowing more about your plant – i.e. where it is planted and the age of it, I’m going to give some very general suggestions.

    I’ve noticed that a few newly-planted Cussonia paniculata in Johannesburg gardens have died this summer. I don’t know exactly what is causing this, but suspect that they do not like being “pampered”. Many indigenous plants require minimal care, which means:

    – Do no interfere with the soil around the roots;
    – Avoid over-watering;
    – Allow the plant a dry season – i.e. do not water in winter in summer rainfall areas.
    – Avoid applying fertilisers and pesticides

    Flourish!
    Glenice

49. Is there anybody out their that can give me advise on our cussonia paniculata. It seems to be dying.

50. I found some information useful regarding my own cabbage tree on your website.