I have one very mature dragon tree and a less mature one. Both have shown, expectedly, branch regeneration. Since my Spring tree trimming of the mature tree, I’ve been keeping an eye on 
the cut branches for any sign of new life. Well, there’s new life! Click on the far right photo to have a better view – it’s the light green nub in the center. Wow! This development is consistent with the emergence of new leaf growth on the cuttings that are not even planted anywhere – the cuttings are lying flat on the ground, only subjected to the air, and water from rainy days (see my previous posts).
The less mature tree is showing new life also. It has new roots, left of center, that are growing toward the soil. I’ll post photos when the roots are near the soil!
The dragon tree has impressed me tremendously with its sheer will to live. It’s a relatively low maintenance tree. Once a year, I have the tree dead-wooded, to remove the expired leaves.
Viva El Drago!
Filed under: Gardening, trees | Tagged: dracaena draco, drago tree, dragon tree, garden maintenance, Gardening, tree, trees
I have a very old (about 55 years) dragon tree and am happy to hear that the branches regenerate. My father in law decided to take out many branches saying it was too heavy. I happen to like it full. We always remove the dead leaves and seed/flower growth but are you supposed to ever remove branches? I have had no luck getting information on this so I would be thankful for information or referance.
Thank you,
Elisse
Dear Elisse,
Branch removal is often a practical issue: I trimmed portions of branches (not a whole branch) on my dragon tree because the branches were growing towards the roof of my garage, risking damage to it. The trimmed branches left behind are now growing back, as shown in the photo of this post. But if you keep/kept the branch cuttings and placed the cut ends into a large container with potting soil, or in the ground, the cut end will likely root (as mine did) and the uncut end (which may have been where leaves were growing) will likely grow new leaves. That is, you’ll get new dragon trees. This is a very sturdy tree.
In areas where they are native, such as the Canary Islands, they grow wild and so are not trimmed. It’s really when they are introduced into civilization when the question of trimming branches arises. Hope this helps, and many thanks for visiting my blog!