Radermachera sinica,(china doll) advice on shape

[ace2weather]

As a bonsai experiment, I came across this free china doll tree, it's on the large side and wondering what to do?

I was thinking of chopping the trunk as it's way too tall


Thinking of removing the right side trunk completely and chopping the left trunk where my finger is.
Has nice roots showing.....

Any thoughts on this??
Maybe try my hand at air layering on all the trunks....

As I've just put this into a pot, do I have to wait till it recovers or shall I hack the s*** out of it now

[Rintar]

I don't know enough about the specie but if you got the time for a layer id wait for recovery and try fir a layer or 3

[tgward]

just for something different try putting in a bonsai pot as is and adjust the canopy--could be an interesting very tall ' mother daughter' literati

[kcpoole]

just for something different try putting in a bonsai pot as is and adjust the canopy--could be an interesting very tall ' mother daughter' literati

Was thinking something similar, but not the full height. maybe 1/2 way

The compound leaves make this one lean towards a larger tree ( similar to murraya), so yep tall skinny twin rather than trying to control a smaller more "normal" 1:6-10 tree

Ken

[ace2weather]

Sounds interesting....
So you think I should chop it half way, will it re shoot??
If so, should I attack it now????
I'm itching to cut some thing!!!!!

[kcpoole]

I am aswsuming they will backbud onto bare wood, but I do not know for sure.
Suggest you try with the shorter trunk first then the bigger one if that works.

Try sketching your idea first so you have an idea whqat you wish to achieve before starting

Ken

[ace2weather]

I have an idea and like the idea of mother and daughter style, but really unsure what height and where to cut....

[ace2weather]

Maybe something like this


Basic drawing......

[kcpoole]

What about a little longer so you can use the bend in each trunk?

[Rintar]

Just my opinion

[ace2weather]

Just my opinion

Thank you so much for your opinion, that's ruffly where I was thinking, now it'll back bud.

[ace2weather]

Well, bit the bullet and attacked it today.....

Now for the waiting game.........

[Ray M]

Hi ace2weather,
The following photo is just a suggestion. There is similar movement in the smaller trunk as there is in the main trunk. Do you think pulling the trunks closer and having them a little straighter helps?

Mother daughter-2.jpg

Regards Ray

[ace2weather]

Thanks Ray, I agree that it looks better with the daughter mimicking the mother..
Would you suggest using some form of tie, like one made of shade cloth that I use on my fruit trees?
As you can gather, I'm a beginner......

[Ray M]

Thanks Ray, I agree that it looks better with the daughter mimicking the mother..
Would you suggest using some form of tie, I would be inclined to use large wire ties. I am not familiar with how brittle these tree are. Be careful to bring them together gently. I use some felt around the trunk under the wire ties to prevent them marking the trunks. like one made of shade cloth that I use on my fruit trees?
As you can gather, I'm a beginner......

Regards Ray