Question
I have planted a tree form Althea last spring.  It bloomed and looked wonderful during the summer.  It currently has about 4 inches of new growth with dark green leaves and was looking very healthy.  Last weekend most of the branches have fallen to a 45 degree angle and seem week.  It still looks very healthy and has some branches still going verticle.  Is it the weight of the new growth, a root problem or shock from a new ashphalt driveway put in last friday about 20 feet away?  Please help :-)  What can I do to get it to grow up again, not sidways?  We have been getting rain almost every night for the last week.
Richmond, Va.

Answer
David,

The problem is that the plant is putting out a lot of elongation growth and not adding diameter to it's branches. You will need to drive a stake behind the plant and tie it up high to bring it back into shape. This will support the branches and give the plant time to thicken the limbs.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen