Tree Ferns

[Kazzarooney]

Hello, have just moved home and there is a tree fern in a pot in the garden. It's about 6ft tall and weighs a ton which is why I suppose the owners left it there. It has fernny like things growing out the top but there is also a side shoot coming of it from the bottom, definately coming from the tree and not a different plant, although this has some fern like leaves it also has other leafy type and just looks so odd this is about 4ft high, is this what they do? any advice greatly appreciated. Thank you

[Nickienickie]

Sounds like what the Kiwis would call a Punga plant. They need lots of water and shady areas . Not sure about the side shoot, sounds interesting ! If it's not pleasant chop it off at the base, otherwise wait and see ! I think these plants are quite expensive so you might want to keep hold of it and wait and see what develops .

[Hawkwalk]

you probably have a Dicksonia which is the most commonly found tree fern in the UK. It is possible for some varieties to produce side shoots from lower down the trunk but the most common type, Dicksonia antarctica wont do this as all the new growth is at the top. If it looks odd then just remove it.

The top will need protecting from the frost. When the fronds die back in the Autumn, fold them back into the centre and cover the top with plenty of newspaper and put a blanket over it. Uncover in the spring, remove the old fronds and some nice new ones wil appear.

[woofgang]

I have a dicksonia antarctica (purchased labelled from a fern specialist) that has a side shoot. The other thing it might be if it has a different leaf is something rooting into the heart of the fern, I find that acorns do this if left in the fern....just pull it out!

If you don't wan the plant try advertising it for sale, one that size sells in a nursery for quite a bit!

[woofgang]

check out the prices here
http://www.dicksonia.com/Dicksonia_antarctica. 419.0.html

[Kazzarooney]

Thank you for your replies, I shall leave the shoot and see what it does. I think the tree is here to stay. The previous owners must have changed the layout of the house and garden there is no way you'd get the thing out!!

[woofgang]

I know what you mean, mine came into the house in a six inch pot about five years ago, it takes two strong men to move it now!