SISSOO TREES

Sissoo or Indian Rosewood is a tree that many homeowners plant because it is very lush and a fast-growing tree. They grow to a moderate height of 35 to 40 feet, but their vigorous root systems can threaten underground irrigation lines, sidewalks, block walls and even cases where the root systems have reached foundation of the property, sewer and water lines. The invasive roots can take over a yard after only a few years. Some homeowners complain about the many pods and leaves that drop off the tree, but its roots pose the biggest problem. When a decision is made to remove the tree, the real headaches begin.

It is especially important that the Sissoo Tree removal is handled by experienced arborist or a tree specialist with knowledge of the possible root system dangers to avoid keeping the root system from expanding into your home foundation, your pool or your neighbor’s yard even though the tree itself has been removed. After removal, it is necessary to poison the root system with specific poison until no sprouts or shoots are coming out. As the root systems can grown extremely far away from the trunk, it is important to moderate all shoots and sprouts coming throughout the poisoning process.  We have found roots and shoots sprouting from them up to 100′ away from the trunk.

Young and newly planted trees die when exposed to temperatures below 28 F. (-2 C.), and older trees can sustain serious damage at freezing temperatures. Sissoo trees bloom in spring with small clusters or flowers at the tips of the branches. These flowers would hardly be noticed if it were not for their powerful fragrance. Once the flowers fade, slender, flat, brown seed pods develop and remain on the tree throughout the summer and most of the fall. New trees grow quickly from the ripe seeds inside the pods. Sissoo trees need full sun or partial shade and will grow well in almost any well-drained soil. They need deep irrigation on a regular basis to develop a dense canopy. Otherwise, Dalbergia sissoo trees produce sparse shade.

These trees develop iron chlorosis, or yellowing leaves, due to lack of iron uptake in alkaline soils. You can treat this condition with iron chelate and magnesium sulfate fertilizers. Citrus fertilizer is an excellent choice for routine fertilization. Although sissoo tree care is easy, it has a couple of drawbacks that add to your routine landscape care. The tree develops thick surface roots that make mowing the lawn a challenge. These roots can lift pavements and foundations if planted too close. Sissoo trees also produce a lot of litter. The branches and twigs are brittle and often break off, creating a mess to cleanup. You will also have to clean up falling seed pods in autumn.

The aggressive Sissoo Tree root structure is key to the plant’s survival and propagation in its native environment where it needed to establish a strong root system to survive in its native soil. Consequently, this tree is an excellent choice where soil erosion is a concern. For example, in the Phoenix freeway system where the road system is built below ground level, these trees have been planted to help secure the soil from eroding from the valleys heavy rainstorms.