Question From:
Amanda Large in Agnes Banks, Sydney NSW
Nature of problem:
I have approx. 8 robinia robusta trees along my backyard, they are about 1-1.5m tall and half a metre apart from each other. I want to remove them and re-plant to make a screen across the side of our new shed which will be built next to our swimming pool. Could you please advise me how to do it and how far apart I should re-plant them. These were planted approx eighteen months ago by the previous owners.
Type of Plant (if known):
Robinia Robusta (red flowers)
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
There is no plant illness.
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
Sandy
How often do you water the plant:
If it has not rained, every few days.
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
approx 6 hrs
What type of plant is it:
Robinia Robusta with red flowers
How long since you planted it:
1 1/2 yrs ago
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
No
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
outdoors
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
in the ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
none
Upload photo if available:
Other Comments:
Answer: Hi Amanda, Well you have me stumped. Robinias sold in australia don’t flower red and there is no Robinia robusta species anyway. Maybe you mean Photinia robusta, but it too has no red flowers – it has reddish new growth. I am not being pedantic as robinias are very nasty when you try to get rid of them. They sucker like mad for years. Photinias on the other hand are easy to remove. Assuming that they might be photinias, just dig them up in winter (maybe June or July) getting about 60cm diameter root balls. Re-plant them about 1.5m apart. Install an irrigation system right along the row; one sprinkler per plant. Don
