Trident #1 the thinner of the 2 I potted up as it came to see if it would produce growth for future development. I was hoping for something lower down to cut back to this year. Most of the new growth came from the top as it usually would so I let it grow on, but was lookingf or a smaller tree and did get 2 new shoots lower down. This year I cut it back again with the expectation that it should again shoot near the new cut site. This I hope to use as a new leader and let the 2 lower develop as the first branch one will eventually go to avoid a bar branch. Trident #2 Has a larger base and root flare, it was reduced as soon as it arrived as it already had growth lower down giving me options for a potential new leader and branching. This year I tried my hand at carving and removed the dead portion above the branching and attempted to create a transition that over time will heal over and look ok
I appreciate having access to affordable good quality stock from Shibui and encourage any othe newbies that might like to experiment to keep a look out for this years sale, If you do and like me a prone to disasters it will not have cost too much and if its a success that's a bonuss
