Leptospermum petersonii [Lemon scented tea tree]

[bodhidharma]

It has come a long way Steven. To me the lower right hand branch does'nt look correct. I think the tree would look better if it was gone and the one above it was massaged down a bit.

[Steven]

Thanks for the thought Bodhidharma, do you not think that would make it to, um, apexey?

Regards,
Steven

[bodhidharma]

do you not think that would make it to, um, apexey?

Only in the short term. The tree will grow and thicken and the branches will extend.

[GavinG]

I get what's bothering Bodhi, but I think the problem might be the second right branch, not the first. The second one comes off very soon after the first left branch, so it emphasises the length of trunk between the first right and first left branches. The second right branch also comes off with a very similar angle to the first right branch, so it feels that one could go. I agree with SirSteven that losing the first right branch would leave the tree top-heavy. If the second right branch went, and the next right branch came down into the space, the energy would be more even. I'm not sure you'll like the next bit - with that branch bent down, I think you might want to build another whole layer of branches above the stuff that's there, to balance the weight of those two large low branches. Out of the nice pot, into a big black one, and take a deep breath. Big decisions.

Sorry to be long-winded, but it's one of those trees worth bothering about with. I think.

Gavin

[Dario]

Hey Steven, nice tree!
I like what you did and think it was the best decision for the tree removing the lower left branch...good bending
I would try a different option myself but don't know enough about the species to know if it is possible (bending and back budding etc).
I would lose the thick second right branch as previously said by Gavin, resulting in better taper with that branch gone too.
Then I would try bending the first right branch up and also shorten it to make it into a sub trunk that stands more upright and regrow a separate foliage mass for it that fills in that right hand side and encorporates itself with the whole tree.
I would make it shorter than the height of the main tree, and once that has grown etc possibly move a right hand branch slightly lower and across from the existing apex (from just above where you removed the second right hand branch) to sit above the newly formed sub trunk.s canopy, depending on how that area looks with the adjustment.
Look forward to what you do to this tree if anything at all?
You have improved it from the time you received it!
Cheers, Dario.

[ben the barbarian]

Great tree. I have a full size one of these badboys in the backyard, and have often thought about trying to airlayer some branches-- I've not really had much experience with this, can anyone tell me if it's a tree that responds well to layering, and when the appropriate time to have a go at it would be?

[GavinG]

Ben, give it a go in October or November when the growth is pumping, put a few on, not just one or two, and tell us whether it works. We don't know.

Gavin

[ben the barbarian]

Thanks Gavin, I'll give it a crack in a few weeks

[Steven]

Thanks for the input Gavin and Dario. They are both credible ideas and I'm sure either would result in a very nice tree. If I were to pick one, I think I'd be leaning towards Dario's idea of a more natural looking tree with 2 canopies of foliage. There are issues with this tree as stated but think I'll just think about the ideas for the time being

I repotted it into a round pot by Lorraine Simpson the other night and lowered the tree a bit. I think it suits it pretty well.

Regards,
Steven

2012 October (a).jpg

[Dario]

Beautiful Pot Steven, love its texture
I only have coastal tea tree tube stock at this stage, but I would be well pleased if eventually I can get mine to develop to a level such as your petersoni...very nice!
Cheers, Dario.

[Damian Bee]

If I may put my worth in.
I would remove the lowest branch on the apex branch (if that makes sense), and pull the next in line down to develop in its place.
I would let a couple of shoots go nuts on the lower half of the trunk to fatten it up for Christmas 2014.
Finally I would work more on the top to give it more height.

Only problem with what I am saying is that my suggestions are how I see that tree working for me. It's a fine Lepto and I wish I had it on my shelf