Question
We have a Yucca tree, about 20 feet, tall in our backyard in Southern California. I'm not sure which variety it is, but it is common around here. It has about 7 major stalks at the base branching further as it gets taller. A few years ago, when it was windy from the Santa Annas, several large pieces of its branches had broken off. My wife is very concerned about someone being injured. We had the tree trimmed to make it primarily vertical and have lost very little since then. Is this a common problem? Are branches of this type of yucca just naturally weak? I see many in our neighborhoods with arching branches, which I think are more attractive, and I wonder if they are considered dangerous.

Answer
Dear Mike,

Sounds like you have a Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia), see: http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Agavaceae/Yucca_brevifolia.html

If you look at the picture, you will see broken branches. They can be quite heavy and because of that, dangerous. It could be caused by damage from insects or it could have been that your plant got the brunt of the wind. Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Greg