celtis- chinese hackberry

[Bretts]

When working with trees like these I always like to give myself plenty of room to move. It is my buffer zone against chop remarks. I don't find lack of taper a big issue in certain styles. I know that trees can go as high as 12:1 and at that size as long as there is no reverse taper and room for good transition on a chop to create an elegant trunk I am confident to continue when I am not much over the 6:1 ratio.

Your height may work I myself would go a touch lower just so that I could be confident that the years ahead are worth it and I don't have to start again. It is like a good bet. I sacrifice a possible 1-2 years growth to ensure against going back 5 years when I decide I should have gone lower 5 years later.

I almost think you will need a lower branch with the height you have picked and with proper training it will soon catch up to and surpass the other branches. Again it could work your way but I see no harm (good bet) in choosing a lower branch for now. It will only help taper and can be removed later.

It is a different species and I think has a little better taper than yours but I am at a similar structure stage with this juni at the moment.
Actual Measurement 40mm x 300mm(reasonable imagined finished height) which makes it 7.5:1. I would be happy to go to almost 9:1 with this, If need be, and still keep a slight hint of masculinity.
I cut it down severely from a Bunnings Juniper $50, I had picked up for someone else to work on as I am scared of Junipers. I am very happy it is starting to grow again as It is only about 10% of the original tree. One to two years to recover and I can start some more work.

juni.jpg

In my virt/mud map I have indicated where I think you should cut the branches back.

Remember chopping this tree back as far as Antonio suggest will not cause the tree any ill health. Trimming these branches as I have indicated after what you have done will also cause the tree no harm. (and it will be the start of great ramification) As long as it encounters no other stress so just be extra careful after this that it receives no other stresses and it will power back in no time. The health was obviously excellent before this work.

[Jamie]

cool mate thanks for the info, yea the tree was in great health when i received it and as far as i know and am concerned it still is

one thing i dont think you posted a pic of the tree where you would cut back to


cheers.

jamie

[Bretts]

Simply just one branch lower than you have for the leader Jamie!

[Jamie]

Simply just one branch lower than you have for the leader Jamie!

sorry mate, long day lol. getting a bit blanked out


jamie

[dayne]

im going to start a thread on going on a celtis dig up the sunshine coast iif any one is interested

[Jamie]

im going to start a thread on going on a celtis dig up the sunshine coast iif any one is interested

ive responded to that one mate im interested. lets work it out


jamie

[MasonC]

hey jamie....haven't been on here in ages!

I love this plant. Has a good natural feel about it....lookin great!

[Jamie]

hey jamie....haven't been on here in ages!

I love this plant. Has a good natural feel about it....lookin great!

cheers pal


just a little update on this one, it is amazing how healthy it is, after defoliating it only 3-5 days ago it now has buds swelling and and popping all over the place, im really happy with that i reckon in the next 3-5 days it will be back in leaf and growing out again

pics to follow soon

jamie

[Jamie]

as said a pic is here, its only one as trying to take a pic so close up took a while to get it in focus, bout 28 pics and i only got one decent one

one pic of one of the branches that are popping with a couple of leaves and one pic (the same) with all the buds i could see in it circled

close up new buds.jpg

close up new buds circled.jpg

i atleast now know that it can cop the harsh treatment i gave it so i could of cut buck harder, for now though i would like to see some growth and have it pumping well for a while

cheers

jamie

[Jamie]

after defoliating this celtis on the 5th of dec. the new buds have now opened on the 9th of december, four days it has taken to open up, they are very small at the moment but are open and are starting to push a second set

heres a pic showing the whole tree all over it is budding, i am pleasantly surprised at how fast these new leaves have pushed through after the treatment i put this through, i wasnt exactly gentle with it..


as it was when i received it 2nd of december

celtis 001.jpg

as it is now 9th of dec.

celtis new bud.jpg

this species would have to be one of the best i have worked with, i would reccomend it to any beginner as it can take harsh treatment and bounce right back

jamie

[bundyfisher]

I told you so

[Jamie]

I told you so

to right pal keen as to get more now looking forward to the dig

jamie

[Bretts]

Thats not even harsh treatment for this Jamie. That was a quick nibble from some sheep

[Jamie]

Thats not even harsh treatment for this Jamie. That was a quick nibble from some sheep

righto, well given how it has responded i know what it can handle i will be looking at giving it some more maybe will let it fluch out in its new leaves and get some solid growth again though

are these trees full deciduous? or semi-deciduous like chinese elm can be depending on climate?

cheers


jamie

[dayne]

these trees are semi decidues inthis climate depending on where the tree is the leaves will start to go a golden color in early winter i put mine in full sun watered a lot this helped keep it green i havnt defoliated any of mine yet but there only out of the ground four months will do it this winter and start fine wiring