My favourite Celtis africana progression.

[lennard]

This is my first and favorite tree. About one and a half year in training. Any comments and advice welcome.

Lennard

celtis africana cerklein.jpg

verklein.jpg

verklein.jpg

2verklein.jpg

met blaar.jpg

[mick]

Looks Great
The leaf reduction is amazing. Great work
Mick

[kcpoole]

Nice setting Lenard

[lennard]

Thanks for the comments.

I foreseen one problem with a tree as small as this: the older leaves will not last the whole season and there is no place for new growth.

How can this be solved?

Lennard

[Jamie]

Thanks for the comments.

I foreseen one problem with a tree as small as this: the older leaves will not last the whole season and there is no place for new growth.

How can this be solved?

Lennard

defoliate mid way through the season or earlier, it will help with your situation and leaf reduction


jamie

[lennard]

I have partially defoliated it and cut out some twigs to make way for others. Three days later and the first new leaves are visible.

verklein defoliated.jpg

Any comments and advice still welcome.

Lennard

[lennard]

After giving up hope for a bud to spring to life lower than the lowest branch one has popped at last- indicated by the yellow arrow. I needed a new "branch" to be used as a sacrifice branch to help thicken the lower trunk and building the nebari.

This picture was taken in January so the "branch" is now about 20 cm long.

Im keeping my eyes close on this "branch" because it is close to the lowest branch so I must take care that it will not result in reverse taper in that area.

This "branch" can also bend the current trunk backwards if I let it grow too thick.

I dont think i will get a bud to pop lower down because most of the lower trunk is probably part of the original taproot.

hergroei verklein.jpg

lennard