Below is a celtis I grabbed from a neighbour's garden that had self sown in a very difficult to reach place and left to grow untouched. The roots were all over the place so i cut it at the widest part of the base and covered it with hormone powder and the result you see is from just over a year ago. I'm actally quite surprised it has kicked on and not kicked the bucket!
I'm now ready to take off non beneficial branches and begin some initial styling. Should i leave the low down branches to assist with thickening the trunk or take them off as they are still so small? I have several choices for a new leader. I am unsure whether this tree lends itself to a broom style or informal upright? Being dead straight i think broom style, with some carving down the track.... similar to the well known Chinese elm of 'Craig' .
I am not sure if i originally cut too high, as this new leader will be quite high and although there is plenty of regrowth, it is all up high and not too low. You'll see I made the initial cut as a diagonal, rather than straight across, which i will not do in future.
Views and opinions appreciated
Cheers
Stew
