Flowering Apricot

[Watto]

Earlier this year I bought this apricot and since then it has been sitting in my yard just getting acclimatised. This series of photos is before any work and it did have two flowers this year, nice pink ones. Slackness meant I didn't get a photo but in the coming years I hope it will flower all over.
I plan to find a training pot for it in the next couple of days and that will give me an opportunity to have a good look at the root structure.
As is normal, ideas are always welcome for new projects.

[treeman]

WOW! All I can say at this point is the ramification is stupendous! It will be a pleasure to work on.

[bodhidharma]

A dream tree to work on Watto and i can't wait to see were it goes in your capable hands. My place comes to mind.

[Watto]

Thanks gents. The 2D looks better than the 3D but still I am very pleased with this. I've got itchy hands and can't wait to get the first phase completed.

[Watto]

I potted this into a training pot yesterday and I now know that more work is needed on the root system, but that will come over time. It has also had a bit of a trim and more significant work will occur over the coming years. Phase one now completed and now its onward and upward.

[bodhidharma]

Could the big straight right hand lower branch go Watto. I think it would make for a better future.

[robb63]

Hi Watto, very nice!!
could you shed some light on how you work the roots on an established tree like this ?
When you repot how much of the roots could you safely remove ?
cheers
Bob

[Watto]

Hi Bodhi, yep I think that in the next year or so that will go, and I also think there are a few other straight think branches that might go with it. The mix it was in wasn't the best for root development so it needs some time to rest at the moment.

[Watto]

Bob - I was conservative and took about 50%. The problem was that the majority of the fine roots were a long way away from the trunk.

[Beano]

Have you still got this Watto?

[Watto]

Yep, its up the back. I think I need to move it to a more "prestigious" place in the yard so it gets better treatment.
This year I plan to move it to a better pot and do some work on the dead wood. Promise I will post a photo after the re-pot.

[Beano]

Awesome can’t wait to see it!

[TimS]

Beautiful little tree there! Hopefully my young one will look this good in a few decades

[Watto]

This tree has had some work post loosing its leaves. A good trim while you can see whats going on.
I have taken out most of the strong straight branches and wired nearly all the remaining small and very small branches. One thing I have learnt is that you must develop the structure before you start on the ramification. I have removed much of the previous ramification so I can establish a "cleaner" tree.
The repot is still on the schedule, just looking for a pot!
The photo was taken last night and is "different". In the next day or so I will do a little bit of carving to tidy up some areas.