No idea where I'm going with this but it will be interesting

[Josh]

I bought casuarina very pot bound and struggling. I repotted it and after it started shooting I cut it back hard. It threw this bud from the top and nothing else.
I decided to play with the only bud it has and see what happens. I'll Jon the little knob on the right and train the branch with an upright apex and a lower hanging branch. It'll be kinda like a pine I guess. Have no idea if it will look any good but it will be different.

image.jpg

image.jpg

Josh.

[Rory]

Do you plan on doing anything to the trunk, or gradually bending over time. Otherwise, it will certainly have a towery feel to it.

[Ray M]

Hi Josh,
You are going to hate me. What about a chop, (red line), or an air layer, (yellow line).

Casuarina-2.jpg

Regards Ray

[Rory]

I concur with the red chop, but wait a few seasons until the tree is back to full recovered health if you choose to. Otherwise if you are happy with the tree as is, all the merrier to you.

The only thing about air layering at the yellow is though, it appears you have a bulging reverse taper right at the top that would presumably be highlighted more so with that small area after the air layer. And reverse taper on a casuarina is not an easy thing to correct.

[Boics]

Just roll with it Josh.

See what you manage out of it over time.
The chop and air layer options will always be there...

[JaseH]

A juniper - but might give you some inspiration?

[Rory]

viewtopic.php?f=106&t=18669

Josh, I thought of your efforts when I saw this Allocasuarina Torulosa on a bush walk. If you want to ignore my and others advice about the chops...it may give you some inspiration for this tree of yours. The picture I am talking about is the 8th picture.