You need one pruning saw, one willing husband, and a hard hat to cut down the banana trees! Timber!!!!!!!
These stately fellas standing up in the sky at about 15 feet were a bit tattered and blackened by our recent frosts. It was 'tree' chopping time for sure!
The resulting stump is very interesting on its own. See how it is honeycombed? Way cool.These banana trunks were nearly a foot wide. The trees are extremely heavy. The heaviness all comes from water and the fibers because there is NO woody material in these banana 'trees'.
Another season has come and gone, but don't worry these hardy Japanese bananas (Musa bajoo) will return next year for a new season.
This is the second year I have allowed my husband to cut down these 'trees'. A chore he relishes as he thinks all the trees should go. He actually volunteered to take out the bananas. Once cut, I don't do anything special for my banana trees, though a heavy coat of mulch would not hurt. The cut trees go straight into the compost bin with some heavy maneuvering and more cutting. They filled up all three of the bins this year. The bananas have returned faithfully each year for the past three years and have steadily increased. A super fun plant.....
in the garden....
All banana trees were cut down in the fall to about 1-2" above ground level.
Hi Tina, how cool is that! It does appear they are all water. Do you now put a lot of leaves or mulch around them or do you dig them up like my neighbor Mickey?
ReplyDeleteFrances
I think that is such a neat feature of your garden. Does your stand of trees increase every year ?
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine gave a little slip of a piece of Musa basjoo about 8 years ago. I had no idea it would ever take up so much of my garden, but I am not complaining.
ReplyDeleteInteresting--I did not know you cut them down and they came back. Thanks for the answer about pansies--you gave me the courage I needed to pull up the zinnias. :) We are suppose to be getting a cold front today, with temps getting close to freezing this weekend, so it's time. Have a great weekend Tina!
ReplyDeleteRainy Day in Georgia today!
ReplyDeleteWow, I am not so sure I know what I am getting into by taking one of your baby nanners! lol, The baby has two new leaves so I am sure it has taken root and will be huge next year!
Will I need to mulch the nanner when we cut it down? We have plenty of leaves for the job. Will pine straw be okay as a mulch on top of the leaves to hide them for a prettier look to my new garden???
Good morning all!
ReplyDeleteFrances, No special treatment for my bananas at all. I probably don't need to cut them down as frost will take them down, but it is easier and funner for hubby to take them out so that is why we cut them.
Cindy, These bananas just love their spot in the center of the veggie garden. They reward me with more babies each year. A post in its own as bananas are tricky about dividing as I have learned. Mine have a limited space though since they are surrounded by hardscaping. Plus all my close by friends want the babies too:)
Les, They DO take up tons of space! That is a good thing I think too. But they have to be sited carefully as you know. Do you cut yours down too? And they winter over no problem?
Linda, Glad I could help. It is best sometimes to take the bull by the horns and make room on your schedule. I have to do the same. A neat thing with these bananas being all water, once a freeze comes these splendid plants turn to jelly and melt everywhere. I take them out on my schedule. You don't need to cut them though but if you don't you won't get to see how cool the inside is. I actually learned this from Perennial Plant Society. I never knew either.
Skeeter, You have a good spot for your nanners. They will do you proud and especially since they already have new leaves. You don't have to cut it down now, but once the freeze takes it, do cut off the foliage and put it in your compost. Or, you could leave it and let it decay on its own. A personal choice for sure. Pine straw is great for everything in my book.
Wow! It doesn't seem like these trees would come back so quickly after chopping them down!? Wish we could grow them up here, very nice tropical flair to them.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly hard to believe that something so tropical in look and feel would be this hardy! We can get cold weather, your is even colder up the road a bit!
ReplyDeleteDo you compost the tree trunk?
Gail
Hi Tina, I've seen a lot of (what I assume are) banana trees up here too. They are always in pots, but they get 6-8 feet tall. Don't know how people overwinter them in zone 4/5. Those large fronds look so exotic waving in the winds of Illinois.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Did you get any bananas? :-)
ReplyDeleteI can just image what it takes to cut those down--they are thick and tall. Glad your helpful husband sees it as fun (kind of like grilling the turkey)!
Cameron
Dawn, They grow like weeds. My friend comes over and actually counts the new leaves each week. She is amazed.
ReplyDeleteGail, Yup, definitely compost it all. It decays quite quickly. Goes back to the garden. It is supposed to be getting cold. I will spend the day trying to plant, move gardens and create a hardscape path. Wish me luck today as I SO don't want to be out there tomorrow.
Marnie, Bananas are fun everywhere and I think people go to great trouble to overwinter. I bet they haul the pots in the house each fall. A big job but rewarding. They are definitely tropical:)
Cameron, Yes-he loves doing this each year. Funny since he doesn't usually EVER touch the plants. I guess he does sometimes, he picks veggies every now and then. He is a fun guy. I will ask him what he thinks of grilling a turkey. Can't believe Thanksgiving is two weeks away.
Sounds like a good way to build up compost material! I bet they make a nice fast growing privacy screen. Grace would love to have a banana tree!
ReplyDeleteWhere did you buy your japanese banana trees? They look so marvelous and tropical - I want one! Do you think they'd survive Indiana weather?
ReplyDeleteWow, your banana tree is Huge! It's always interesting to see our kind of plants in colder climes. Despite the frost, nothing goes to waste. Loved you post, Tina.
ReplyDeleteWow! I had no idea these banana trees would come back each year. I assumed they were like cannas; shows you how little I know about them. That's pretty amazing that you can cut them all the way down like that and have them grow another 15 feet tall next year. My husband would probably enjoy cutting these down, too:)
ReplyDeleteGood Morning All,
ReplyDeleteTina that is fascinating about the banana "tree". I didn't know you could cut them down & they would come back. I've never heard of them being cut down down here. Looks like a fun plant.
Glad Mr Fix-it is willing to do the job.
Have a great day all.
Wow, that's really cool! How many bananas do you usually get? When I saw the title of your post I was thinking why in the world would you cut down a banana tree? I guess my question was answered since they aren't really trees. Too bad it's too cold for them up here, I'd grow one if I could!
ReplyDeleteHow fun for hubby to get to use some tools! lol I do the same thing with my cannas because if you wait until the frost completely kills off the foliage they are a mushy mess. I might have to consider growing some of those banana trees, the height would be a nice addition to the garden. Do they prefer shade or sun?
ReplyDeleteDave, GREAT privacy screen. You should hear the noise they make flapping in the wind too. Fun for Grace for sure.
ReplyDeleteStacy, I got it at 'Summer Celebration' in Jackson TN. A annual plant show/seminars/sale etc. You can find them at Rural King and a friend of mine says he has them at the nursery he works at. But the friend said they take the bananas out of storage each spring and put them in an out of the way area where customers never see them. He said they are not big sellers. Probably because customers can't see them and are afraid of them. Not sure if they would winter over in your area. You are a bit colder in Indie than here, but it wouldn't hurt to try with a big bale of hay on top of the root ball. These are VERY hardy here. Even surviving the late freeze last year. Remember, Musa bajoo and ask around.
Kanak, Thanks. I was wondering what you would think of our tropical bananas in this area. I simply love them. They are such an out there plant, kind of like my garden and probably me too.
Rose, Many relate the bananas to cannas. Here my cannas return each year. So if yours do not, the bananas might not either. Not sure as you are much colder up in your area. But they grow so fast. Husbands just love destroying stuff don't they? Funny guys, we grow it and they take it down in one second no problem.
Lola, I would think the bananas in FL would stay green all year down there. No need to cut them down then. I loved looking at them when I visited there in the winter. Mr. Fix-it is a sweetie and makes me SO happy when he shows an interest in the garden. Not an often occurrence.
Cinj, No bananas as yet. One actually bloomed this year. I expect I will get some bananas at some point but this clump is very young. Needs more time. Way tooooo cold up there to grow except as an annual. They do have smaller varieties that I think are good for houseplants though. I hope you are doing well.
Heading to the garden! Busy busy day for me before the cold comes tomorrow. I am moving gardens again. What a chore!
Racquel, Bananas are very similar to cannas. My bananas and cannas grow in an area that does not get full sun, but does get sun during the growing season with a bit of shade. I think that in hot hot areas a bit of shade is welcomed by most everything. I have seen no harm to the bananas due to being shaded on the south side by mature trees, but mainly bananas would like full sun. I think their growth habits are just like cannas. The root is amazing too. They truly do add height and drama. In fact, now that I am thinking of it, most plant cannas close by (Skeeter did and so have I and I am sure others). Anyhow, check them out. They can get messy though and big so make a large area for them. I have more posts forthcoming at some point. Seems there is a bunch of interest in the bananas. Maybe I should do a banana week. lol
ReplyDeleteThe neat inside just adds more beauty to the neat plant.
ReplyDeleteT,
ReplyDeleteI don't want cold to come yet! I am having a dinner party and Mr I is dragging me to some silly something I don't want to go to tonight! I have real work to do!
Oh this is about you not me! I wish you luck! Have fun!
Gail
Massive, Tina!! I've heard rumors of a banana tree that will grow in NY, but you have to cut them down every year? I don't know if I'm up for it. Looks like quite a chore. Nice that you have a willing helper!
ReplyDeleteI've had this banana tree for two years now. So far, it hasn't gotten that big. It is supposed to be the hardiest. Why on earth does your husband think that all trees should be cut down? Yikes!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool stump! Does your banana tree actually give you bananas to eat? Anyway, they are very cool. and I'm glad they'll come back next year.
ReplyDeleteI've been pondering getting a banana tree. I think they're so beautiful and exotic-looking! Today I trailed through Home Depot. Seems sad that all the buzz is about Xmas stuff and the plants are going by the wayside now. Don't want to see them go!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Tina, I can just see myself asking a sales associate at Rural King: Do you carry any Musa bajoo? Think I'd better stick with banana tree. I was looking for a contorted mulberry tree at a nursery in FL, asked a salesperson if they had any Morus unryu, and got the funniest look from her. But the word "contorted" threw her off too, so I had to use some nonverbal communication to get my point across. I'm sure she thought I was nuts. That cut "trunk" of your tree has a neat looking spiral in it. Tell Mr. Fix-It to bend those knees a little and save his back!
ReplyDeleteFoggy as heck today! Warm and humid with cold front interfering to make the fog! We had 4 and half inches of rain in the gauge! Lake will love that but not good on us as we would like to cut down two trees. Soggy yards and tractors don’t mix…
ReplyDeleteI think you should do a Banana Week! That would be fun....
Very interesting post! I especially liked the cross-section photo. /Deb
ReplyDeleteWhat a job to take those down, but it sounds like they are VERY rewarding to grow. Anything "tropical" like that is totally fascinating to me (says Amy from the frozen north of Canada :)
ReplyDeleteMom, It is too cool. All full of water and very dense. Rough day today. Coming down with the crud and I have been working in the garden all day. I just can't do what I used to do:( Hope all is fine there.
ReplyDeleteGail, Have a great time at dinner.
JGH, This would grow up there but would probably need to come inside. Yes, hubby surprises me once in a while, of course cut down trees and he's there.
Phillip, This is a fun plant. Do you like yours and do you cut it down? You are not so far south of here so I was wondering how you winterize your banana. The hubby is a strange man, he married a gardener yet thinks all gardens should be poured with concrete and painted green to simulate grass. And it isn't even like HE has to cut the grass to hate all plants so much. Good thing he humors me, and I him with his car hobby. He just really doesn't realize how sad this world (and our backyard) would be without trees.
DP, No bananas yet, but I expect some in the future. A fun plant for sure.
Brenda, I can't believe Christmas is out already too. Say it isn't so! Not ready. I can't say I miss the plants too much. This is the time to get them all on sale. Massive sales when they have to move them for Christmas. A good thing.
Walk2Write, Sometimes I can't help myself and ask for a plant by its latin name just to watch the salesperson's. Mean I know, but it doesn't harm anyone. I mean geez you would think working in a nursery-whether Home Depot or not- that they would at least have a book and know what the heck they were selling. But to have an issue with contorted? Then what did you do? Make some funny shapes? I can see you now. Did you find your plant:)? Hope so. I'll tell Mr. Fix-it to straighten up. He had such fun.
Skeeter, Not a drop of rain here and we so need it! Yes, it will be great for that lake. Hopefully we get some regular rain, even if we don't get regular good news on the economy.
Deb, That banana trunk is pretty cool. Who knew it looked like that? Glad you liked it.
Amy, You said it!:) boy I feel for you in the frozen tundra of Canada. When I first began reading your blog-way back when-I thought you were like on a mountain in the west somewhere. I was shocked you were in Canada. I do hope your surgery goes well on that knee.
ttyl
Oh my those are big banana trees, if mine ever grow that big I might be in trouble.
ReplyDeleteI think I am just on the border of being about to grow this particular Banana but I don't think I have space for them. To bad as they grow a beautiful specimen.
we used the banana leaf stem to print in art in the Caribbean. Does your bananas fruit? They do add a jungle look to a garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Dan, Yes, these babies grow big. Hope you have a big BIG pot for yours. But anyone who can move a huge brug can manhandle bananas no problem. They are great.
ReplyDeleteIsland Gal, Welcome! I love the bananas. I bet you grow them way down there where it is warm right now. This year was the first year the bananas bloomed. I am hopeful to get some bananas but it did not work this year. I am told bananas need help pollinating so as they get bigger. How did you use the banana leaf stem to print? As a pencil maybe? It is quite firm. We use banana leaves to make pots for the garden. In fact, I need to pull some from the compost bin as I have to make a few soon myself. Thanks for dropping in.
Tina we cut the stem across peel off the leaf and dip it in paint or dye and print. Yes I have bananas and at the moment I have three trees with young ones. They should be ready in January. The only problem is that a bunch of bananas all ripen at the same time so I have lots of friends to take them off my hands. There is only so much a person can eat. I also make banana ice cream . We also have the short bananas we call figs they are sweeter than the regular banana. I also grow plantains they are bigger and longer than regular bananas. They are delicious when fried and baked. We use them as a side dish a little sweet with the main meal. Banana sap will stain so be careful.
ReplyDeleteTina, are you ready for this nonsense? Hubby heard me laughing like crazy reading your responses just now to your comments on this post. He thinks I am a wicked, wicked monkey.
ReplyDeleteIsland Gal, I am so envious of all your bananas and warmth! Still cold here. Banana icecream? The best next to coffee icecream:) That sounds really cool with the banana stem to write with.
ReplyDeleteWalk2Write, So glad you are having a good laugh-it is the best. Did you tell hubby how much fun you have on the blogs? He surely knows-he might check in and get a few laughs every now and then too. You are the best with coming through with joking on the blogs and broke me in to it. It is hard you know to joke around on here so thanks-and keep laughing-goth or dark or wicked, wicked monkey-who cares? Just enjoy. Tell him I said so. I just read all the comments to Mr. Fix-it and he got a chuckle. So nice to hear him laugh. He was sick last weekend, this weekend I am sick:( Wonder why? Anyhow, have a great weekend!
Tina, I cant believe how big the plant has grown in your colder climate. A lot of TLC has gone its way, I think.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that we cook the inner core of the banana stem? Yup! Peel off all the fibrous layers till you reach the very heart of it where its white and more solid (if thats the word for it) and thats what we use as a vegetable. Its supposed to have all kinds of medicinal benefits too so check it out before you compost it the next time ; )
Hi Sunita, Great to see you this morning. I really am beginning to think this banana is on steroids or something. (No drug testing here though)
ReplyDeleteI am learning so much about the banana on here! Island gal used it in art, you guys cook it and many cultures it seems even uses all parts of the banana. I think it was Kanak who posted a recipe for eating the banana bloom (PLEASE don't hold it against me if I am wrong as I read so many blogs) and I thought that too cool, especially since my banana actually bloomed. I must say though, we are temperate but here in Tennessee we have a long growing season (6 months approximately). Do you suppose the banana knows it and hurries to grow fast?:)
Looks like Mr Fix-it's wearing nice clothes to be doing such a chore. He even has his shirt tucked in. I'm impressed that you have such a stylish man for such chores. ;~)
ReplyDeleteI'll tell him you said so TC, seems to me I remember you are pretty stylish too:)
ReplyDeleteTina, maybe in time you will have edible fruit. I read an article in our paper about a couple that has banana plants here and they had fruit this year for the first time! Our growing season may only be a month longer then you and the article was a while back so surely if they had fruit here, then you will get fruit up there too... hummmm, I should have clipped that article for you but never thought of it until now. Too late now...
ReplyDeleteSkeeter, I read that too, so I have my hopes up. You will get some too, just give it time. ttyl
ReplyDeleteTina, I hope you and Mr. Fix-It start feeling better soon. Yesterday, I felt kinda tired like I was fighting off some kind of germ. Today is a different story. Actually went for a 4-mile walk, even though the wind is pretty fierce and the temp is only about 45 degrees F. I'm glad I could help with the laughter, but TC and Skeeter have the real knack for humor. Spavined, indeed!
ReplyDeleteWalk2Write, We all need to get together and do a "Spavined" post. How funny would that be? TC-you listening? Not feeling better, but got the school work done and tomorrow is an easy day. Yahoo! I bet the walk was awesome. Nice blustery days make you appreciate it so much more.
ReplyDelete