Three trunk Pyracantha

[Keels]

Ive been wanting a Pyracantha for a while and I've been scoping out this Pyracantha not far from my place. There are about 12 other big trees around as well. This seemed the better tree out of the lot. All of the trees have multiple trunks from the base. So I thought I'd cut the tree back a bit to see if it was worth the effort to remove.

Hoping to see what people thought before I went to the effort to dig it up. If it was in your hands could you make something of this tree?

Anyway thanks in advance for any advice

[kcpoole]

Always worth removing weeds adn this one has a good looking base
Not much taper int he trunks to use but looks like a bit of movement if you make a larger tree from.

Ken

[Watto]

Although it is a triple trunk now, it doesn't have to always be that way.

[Keels]

Always worth removing weeds adn this one has a good looking base
Not much taper int he trunks to use but looks like a bit of movement if you make a larger tree from.

Ken

When I was looking at it yesterday I could see a little movement. I was trying to imagine how I would develop such a tree. The base is definitely ace.

[shibui]

I would dig that one. It has good movement in the trunks and some options to reduce the height. Pyracanthas bud well on older wood so you should end up with lots of branches and plenty of options for new tops.
Jin, shari and hollowed trunks can be effective techniques to disguise lack of taper in collected trunks. In the past these techniques were almost exclusively used on conifers but a new wave of innovative Europeans and Americans have opened the way to applying to broadleaf trees too.

[Keels]

I went and checked out how the pyracantha was tracking with the recent extreme weather we have been having recently. Also it was good to get out and about since some of the smoke has cleared.

You can see the tree has started to get new buds starting to pop out.

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I did notice that boers have attacked the tree since I cut it back. It had 3 distinct holes, I stuck a stick in the holes but there wasn't anything inside.

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So is it even worth collecting now since the boers have attacked this tree? I know shibui said I should collect this tree but with this extra information I don't know if it's worth the effort now.

[shibui]

I did notice that boers have attacked the tree since I cut it back

bloody South Africans...

The borers may have been there before the cutback or they might have homed in on a tree under stress. Looks to me as if they have already grown up and gone as there's no frass (grub poo) below those holes. Check for other sites on the tree though. Active holes are usually covered over with frass and web or will have piles of frass below the holes.
Probably won't matter about the damage. They may give you some nice dead wood and hollows but are unlikely to kill the tree. I'd still take it and grow for a while to determine the extent of damage and how it will affect the entire tree.
If you're worried you can try to kill the grubs - Poke a fine wire up the hole to skewer the grub, squirt metho or petrol or insecticide into the holes with a syringe or spray with a systemic.

[Keels]

Quick update on my pyracantha. I quickly ducked out and checked on the trees progress this afternoon. Its looking good from what i can see. I plan to dig the tree in the next couple of weeks, ill update again then.

[Watto]

Plenty to work with there, good luck with the dig.

[tgward]

even if not perfect I would dig as many as possible--- could be some real potential when potted

[MJL]

Top trees Keels! Good luck with the dig. Have I told you I was spewing not to come to Canberra recently!

Blimey... there’s a road trip to ACT and SA in the works!!


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[robb63]

Hi Keels
Going from what I can make out on the pics I think your in for a long term project.
If you cut out the inverse taper and reduce the strait bits you'll be left with big scars.
Firethorns heal slowly especially when reduced into a pot.
I would put it in a grow bed after collecting and let it go a few years, or longer.
Good luck digging. I think you will deserve a cold beverage or more after this dig.

[Keels]

.... Have I told you I was spewing not to come to Canberra recently!
Blimey... there’s a road trip to ACT and SA in the works!!

Always got a room here if you need a couple more monsters... I mean trees hope you and the family are safe mate

Hi Keels
Going from what I can make out on the pics I think your in for a long term project.
If you cut out the inverse taper and reduce the strait bits you'll be left with big scars.
Firethorns heal slowly especially when reduced into a pot.
I would put it in a grow bed after collecting and let it go a few years, or longer.
Good luck digging. I think you will deserve a cold beverage or more after this dig.

Gday rob, I'm under no illusion that there is alot of work involved in this tree. I didnt know that firethorns heal slowly in pots... So that's good to know.

I'll be smashing a couple of Captain Morgan's after this tree is out