The iconic baobab tree, also known as the “Tree of Life”, is renowned for its massive trunk and ability to store large amounts of water. These unusual trees are accustomed to hot, arid climates and are cultivated as ornamental novelty plants in other parts of the world. If your baobab starts leaning or falling over, it likely signals an underlying issue. Read on to learn the most common reasons baobab trees fall over and what you can do to get your plant standing upright again.
Overwatering
Baobabs have adapted to survive in dry conditions and their roots are susceptible to rot if kept too wet. Overwatering is the most common reason baobab trees start tilting and falling over. With soggy soil, the delicate feeder roots die off, leaving the tree unstable and unable to absorb enough moisture and nutrients.
Signs of overwatering include
- Leaves falling off
- Soft, mushy areas on the trunk
- Moldy soil
- Foul odor from the roots
If you suspect overwatering allow the soil to completely dry out before watering again. Remove any dead roots and repot the tree in fresh, well-draining soil if necessary. Water less frequently, waiting until the top few inches of soil become dry. Providing good drainage with pebbles or gravel in the bottom of the pot can also help prevent wet conditions.
Underwatering
While baobabs can endure drought, inadequate watering will also cause leaf drop and falling over. If the soil dries out completely for too long, the feeder roots die back Without enough roots to anchor it, the top-heavy tree becomes unstable
Signs of underwatering:
- Wilting, drooping leaves
- Leaves falling off
- Soil is bone dry
- Gray, shriveled roots
Restore proper watering to encourage new root growth. Give the tree a deep watering and wait for the top several inches of soil to become dry before watering again. Water slowly to allow moisture to penetrate deeply into the soil. Mist the leaves occasionally to boost humidity.
Root Bound
If a baobab is left in the same container for too long, the roots will become pot bound, encircling the inside of the pot with nowhere to expand. Without ample room for roots to spread out, the tree cannot establish a sturdy base. Circular, crowded roots also have difficulty taking up enough water and nutrients.
Signs of a root bound baobab:
- Roots visible at the soil surface or growing out of drainage holes
- Stunted growth
- Tilting or falling over
- Poor leaf health
Carefully remove the root ball and inspect for circling, congested roots. Trim back any damaged roots and repot in a container one or two sizes larger, using fresh potting mix. This gives the roots space to grow outward and form a wide base to support the tree.
Insufficient Light
Baobabs require full sun to thrive. Without adequate light, they grow tall and spindly as they reach for sunlight. The lack of light also impacts the tree’s ability to produce energy through photosynthesis, resulting in weak growth. A top-heavy baobab with compromised roots and little structural integrity will be prone to tilting and falling over.
If your baobab is not getting enough sun, symptoms may include:
- Sparse, yellowing foliage
- Long, thin stems
- Tilting or growth in one direction
- Few new leaves or flowers
Move the plant to the sunniest location possible. Rotating the pot regularly prevents growth from leaning toward the light source. Providing supplemental lighting may be necessary in winter or low-light environments.
Pruning overgrown stems helps redirect growth and maintains a balanced shape. Staking or supporting leaning stems can temporarily prevent falling until you correct the light conditions.
High Winds
Baobabs generally tolerate wind well, but extremely gusty conditions can cause damage, especially if the tree has preexisting root or stem problems. High winds will rock the tree back and forth, loosening roots or snapping brittle branches and stems.
Protect baobabs from harsh winds by:
- Placing in a sheltered location
- Staking large specimens
- Pruning damaged branches
- Improving root health and structure
Pests and Diseases
Certain pests and diseases weaken roots, leaving baobabs prone to toppling over. Nematodes attack roots, compromising the root system. Fungal infections like root rot infect and destroy feeder roots. Stem borers and leaf miners tunnel inside branches and leaves, making them fragile and more likely to break in wind.
Signs of pests or disease:
- Small holes in leaves or stems
- Premature leaf drop
- Sections of bark falling off
- Mushy, discolored roots
- Sawdust-like frass around stems
Treat any infestations immediately to prevent further damage. Remove and destroy heavily infected plant parts. Sterilize tools after pruning diseased areas. Improve growing conditions to help the baobab recover and regrow damaged tissue.
Extreme Temperatures
Baobabs are highly sensitive to cold and frost. Freezing temperatures damage cells within the trunk and roots. Sudden temperature drops or cold drafts cause leaf loss and eventually dieback of stems and branches. On the other end of the spectrum, excess heat stresses the roots. Combined with drying winds, high heat evaporates moisture before the roots can absorb it, causing dehydration.
Protect baobabs by:
- Growing in frost-free climates
- Moving indoors or under shelter in winter
- Shielding from cold winds
- Avoiding intense midday sun in summer
- Regular watering in heat
Monitor weather forecasts and respond quickly to temperature swings that could impact your baobab. Insulate the roots or container during cold snaps. Move the plant to a shaded area and mist leaves if heat spikes occur.
Heavy Fruiting
The massive, gourd-like fruits of the baobab contain kidney-shaped seeds encased in tart, powdery pulp. Though beautiful, prolific fruiting can strain the resources of younger or weaker baobabs. Heavy crops tax the roots as they struggle to take in enough moisture and nutrients to support fruit swelling. Unpicked fruits also act as pendulums in wind, rocking the branches back and forth, damaging stems.
If fruit load seems excessive:
- Pick fruits once matured
- Remove developing fruit to reduce demand
- Stake heavy branches to minimize movement
- Ensure adequate water and nutrition
- Allow the tree to rest the following season
Prioritize vegetative growth over fruiting on younger trees or troubled plants until they establish sturdy structure and root systems.
Leaning from a Young Age
Baobab seedlings generally grow a straight vertical trunk. But if conditions are less than ideal at early stages, young saplings may start to lean or bend at the base. Common causes include:
- Insufficient light
- Overcrowding
- Root disturbance
- Root confinement
- Pushing on or rubbing the stem
Stems that lean when young tend to become set in that direction as wood hardens. Though not inherently harmful, a curved trunk looks unusual and contributes to instability as the tree ages and gains height.
Grow seedlings in full sun with adequate spacing and root room to promote upright growth. Stake straightened stems while young and flexible to retrain their response to gravity.
Potting at an Angle
How you position the baobab root ball during potting can impact trunk alignment. If the original root ball is planted tilted or off-center, the trunk will grow at an angle to compensate. Likewise, placing the pot on a slanted surface causes the emerging stem to curve toward the high side.
When repotting, take care to:
- Keep the root ball centered in the pot
- Ensure the soil surface is level all around
- Plant at the same soil depth as before
- Set the pot on a flat, even surface
Catch and remedy slanted planting right away to prevent permanent lean. Rotate the pot daily if needed so the tree grows straight up from the base.
Advanced Age and Hollow Trunk
Baobab trunks swell to massive proportions over time, often hollowing out as the outer shell softens and erodes. Though the spongy wood helps the tree store water, age-related trunk degradation combined with other stressors can lead to collapse.
Warning signs include:
- Thinning outer wall
- Deep hollowing and erosion
- Mushy spots on the trunk
- Dieback of large branches
While the decline is natural, you can help prolong the life of aged baobabs by:
- Removing dead wood
- Supporting heavy branches
- Controlling pests/disease
- Protecting trunks from elements
- Avoiding overwatering
Gauge risks and weigh the benefits of preservation methods for extremely old, damaged baobabs. Be prepared to replace a declining giant to continue enjoying these iconic trees.
Correcting Baobab Lean
With prompt troubleshooting and care, leaned or toppled baobabs can often be restored to an upright position. Here
Fertilizing the Right Way
Choosing the right fertilizer is like picking the perfect meal for a picky eater; its got to have just the right balance. A slow-release fertilizer with an even NPK ratio is your best bet for a Baobab. Overdoing it is a no-go – too much fertilizer can push your tree into a growth spurt, leaving it weak and wobbly. Stick to a light feeding during the growing season, and your Baobab will thank you with robust health, not a leaf out of place.
Spotting the Signs of Trouble
African Baobab trees are known for their resilience, but when leaves start dropping like a poorly planned playlist, its time to pay attention. Normal leaf shedding is as predictable as your morning alarm, but if leaves are falling off en masse and not just the old-timers, youve got a problem. Seasonal shedding is one thing, but a sudden leaf exodus, regardless of age, is a distress signal worth investigating.
The Biggest Tree on Earth is Bigger Than Your Imagination
FAQ
Why is my tree falling over?
Why is baobab tree upside down?
How much water does a baobab tree need?
What helps the baobab tree survive?
Do baobab trees lose their leaves in winter?
The first yellow leaves are clearly visible. Soon the small trees drop all their leaves and are – like most deciduous trees – without leaves in winter. But wait – the baobab is a tree from Africa! Nevertheless, it lose its leaves like European trees in autumn. This is an amazing fact that Baobabs do so against their natural life cycle. In the
How do you know if a baobab tree has new leaves?
The shoots of last year are still green but not yet completely “woody”. Tiny reddish or greenish hairy spikes indicate where new leaves will appear. At these spots the trees either get new leaves or new branches. The leaf shape of the baobabs in pots is quite interesting. Usually, the first round that shows is single leaves which I consider normal.
Why do baobabs sprout their leaves?
Baobabs sprout their leaves usually just shortly before the onset of the rainy season. The leaves help the trees to absorb as much water as possible with their fibers in their trunks and branches. Therefore the leaves are important to help protect the roots being exposed to standing water which eventually leads to root rot.
Why do baobab leaves turn yellow?
If leaves take on a yellowish tinge they might suffer from different causes. Normally, baobabs slow down their metabolism in autumn which makes the leaves turn paler. Usually this process starts with yellow while the leave veins stay green longer. The more wilted the leaves become, the more they turn ocher or light brown.