Taxodium, where to chop?

[Hornet]

Root pruned and repotted this swampie the other day, as you can see its wilting a fair bit. I was told to give it a trunk chop aswell. How far up should i be chopping it?

John

[shibui]

You can cut it anywhere but I'd be cutting right down low, say 10 cm from ground. It doesn't really matter because this tree has so much growing to do yet but first trunk cut low will help to give good taper in the long run.

[chipper5]

Yeah, I'd agree, down low 10-15cm from the base.

Also pop a tray or saucer underneath to hold some water- Swampies do like water, that, combined with the chop will hopefully keep it happy til it's back on its feet.

Chipper5

[Hornet]

Thanks for the advice guys, i chopped it quite low, only about 5cm of trunk remaining, leaving 3 shoots. 1 was too damaged by wilt but the other 2 have perked up nicely. Have a saucer here with a small willow that has room, will pop it in. Thanks again

John

[chipper5]

Good luck John,

let us know how it goes!

Chipper5

[Hornet]

all going well, its budding fiercely all over the trunk, not sure if i should leave them or pull them off?

John

[kcpoole]

I woud leave them. They will all help thicken the trunk and accelerate growth

Ken

[NathanM]

When you next repot it, make sure you plant it on an angle to get some decent movement, give your chosen leader movement as well. And get it into the biggest pot/box/container you can
Make sure it always wet. As said, keep it in a water tray, the deepest you can.
Put some seasol in the water.
In a bout a month start feeding it. Feed it heavily. Also maybe get some fertiliser in the water tray once you start feeding. They grow really quickly up here.