For the 1st one, could you air layer the top off for a multi-trunk and then once that is done chop so that the left branch mid tree is the new leader??
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money."
Hi The Specimen , mate they look like flowering plums possibly Prunus Cerasifera Nigra or Prunus Blireana . The first trunk has a typical graft union as on mine . I would be inclined to let then grow for a season then make the decision as to which style would suit best .
Layer both of them and no not yet! mid to late spring when they get going. When too hot and strong northerlys keep wet, shady and protected !!! If ya stuck we can do it together !
Hi The specimen , use the tooth pick method to grow roots just below the graft union . Why waste a great basal flare like that . I put 24 tooth pick into mine and 20 produced roots , and the roots are mainly in the original root stock so it will always be strong and healthy . I certainly gives the trunk the muscle they need in the flare rather than a gentle taper .
Hi The Specimem , mate if you drill the base and insert the toothpicks with hormone powder into the 1/8 drill hole then cover the graft union with bonsai mix or potting mix about 25mm above the graft and toothpicks . Give it a season and you will have more roots than you need .Trim them back hard and tease them out radially , Thats the roots sorted for this year.
Now as for that trunk , it is straight so build a bigger tree or leave it to back bud while the roots are developing and cut it down them . Personally it has a straight section then a leader or two in the stubs are at an angle . That could be used as a new leader or as mentioned layer half the straight section off next year . If you tilt the trunk over so one of the upper stubs is vertical and it will take on a completely different look . Develop from there and you could end up with a nice slanting style with a broom type canopy , that would make for a very nice floral display .
Work with what you have before , hacking it hard .Done bun can't be undone .
Cheers Alpine
P.S The root stock on most of these types of plums is a green leaf , green plum variety , unknown to me .
P.S AGAIN My topic Flowering Plum shows a tranformation from tree to ground layer toothpick method to trainer . I will do an update soon as its beginning to blossom
Last edited by alpineart on August 21st, 2012, 8:27 pm, edited 2 times in total.
If these are grafted plums the rootstock will probably be Prunus cerasifera - Myrobolan plum. Single white flowers followed by smallish red plums. Many of the feral roadside plums are this species.
shibui wrote:If these are grafted plums the rootstock will probably be Prunus cerasifera - Myrobolan plum. Single white flowers followed by smallish red plums. Many of the feral roadside plums are this species.
Cheersfor the input Shibui.. cool if i can get to eat the red plums too..
Plums on the myrobolan are edible but not particularly large or tasty. I think the 'cherry plum' that is planted as street trees is the same species.
Will bring down a selection of what is available.
Since opening the website stock is moving more than usual so not sure what will be left by October. Also need to make sure there is some left for Canberra the following weekend but we will have something to contribute to the sales tables.
if say later I was to air layer, what tree will I have then ? 
