Lacklustre Rowan

I've removed some of the lower branches on all the trees in my garden @Nickoslesteros to allow light into the borders below. Ideally this should be done in autumn or early winter but I often ignore the rules! Just be sure about what you're going to do as the branches won't regrow! Yes, the Sorbus at Ness are spread around the garden @JennyJB.

 

Sorry to bring this thread back to life.. I asked about staking this tree and was advised it shouldn't be needed. I was clearing away the dried up perennials etc underneath and remembered that the tree leans and seems to wobble a bit. Still a bad idea to stake? I suppose there is a very real risk of smashing a stake through it's roots!

 

It's odd if it isn't firm at the base and is 'wobbly'. If the soil's light though, it's probably less secure than you'd expect. Not a problem we have here as it's all clay.
You can still stake it if you feel it needs it. Better to use the 'two angled stakes low down' method, which then avoids the problem of disturbing roots too much, although it's unlikely to cause a major problem if it catches a few. The H frame might be fine as well, if that was easier to put in. The difficulty might be potential damage to other planting nearby, so you'd have to consider that.

 

I think its the case of trying to establish a large tree on, perhaps, not ideal soil, or preparation, starting out with smaller trees is always better.

I realise you may not have planted this tree but as you say its hardly grown in 7 years suggests it just not put down good roots.

 

I'd agree with that @pete - in the right conditions, rowans grow quite rapidly. I have two here which were both gifts from birds, and the most recent one is about that size, and was a very small sapling about 6 or 7 years ago. It's been moved twice and never notices, even with it's decent sized root system.
I also have a sapling I planted out this year which I grew from seed, from that 2nd tree, as it's not a native one, but is one of the cultivated types with white berries. I sowed the seed less than 2 years ago, and the sapling is currrently around 2 feet or so.

The conditions and soil type we have here is perfect for them, especially the native ones. They also grow in all sorts of dodgy sites on our hills, including on top of rocks with minimal soil, but they get enough wet stuff to keep them happy, and just don't grow as large as they would on better ground.

 

Well, I staked it, firmed it in and pulled it straight. I've raked in some bonemeal to the surface, watered and given it a good mulch of a compost / manure mix.

It was so wobbly before I did it. And from memory I remember it was staked really badly. Just a little thinn metal pole that raised away years ago. So thin in fact, that as I was clearing the space I put part of it through my chipper thinking it was an old bamboo cane!

Funny you mention gifts from the birds. Got a few myself which I removed from awkward places