Marianne's Response
How to train a rose up a tree trunk
Hi Marianne – for the last five years I have successfully grown two climbing roses ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ up into a mature maple tree. I have been using two cotton ropes encircling the tree for the canes support. I am concerned this may be harming the tree. Using nails would be less constricting but I am unsure if it is better for the health of the tree than the ropes. Any insight or suggestions? I do not have room at the base for a trellis nor do I want one in the “picture”. Thank you.
Posted by ejmensh on February 15, 2014
Marianne's Response
The good news is your rose can probably cling to the tree on it's own by now. Cut the ropes that circle the tree and see if the rose canes can successfully remain upright. Mother Nature has a way of helping plants like the shade-tolerant rose of yours to adhere to a support system using the tallest canes to drape or wrap onto branches. Don't worry if the base of the rose plant moves in the wind or weather. This will just encourage the rose plant to grow more roots as it heads upward toward the sun. What a lovely scene you must have in June with that fragrant rose blooming in your maple tree.
Keep growing,
Marianne Binetti
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