AusBonsai

Just after some advice for this Hawthorn I collected some time ago, was after other stuff and found this so thought why not. It just sat there and did nothing. Then it grew a few buds and died off, I thought I had lost it. This year it has gone nuts. I want to start wiring the branches so they leave the trunk at the right angle but not sure what direction to go in.
I'm also wondering how well they heal over on big cuts. Any advice appreciated.
Here is tree in question as it is now A couple of virts of what I think could be done. Anyone want to offer any ideas feel free. This is a long term project so not fussed if I have to regrow the top. The base has good flare already and will only get better with time.

Josh

I would not chop it so low. pick the next shoot above to use as the new leader and keep that lovely lower down Bark.

Ken

So I went out to cut the tree down a bit keeping in mind what you said Ken about keeping more of the old bark but was still perplexed as to what to do. I have cut the pot down so the tree is more visible. Should I go the twin trunk or cut to a single leader and grow on??? Of the dilemma Might just stick it back on the bench for a bit longer.

Hi Josh,

Great stump and one that will be alot of fun to play with but to be completely honest mate, I think its way too soon to worry about any possible direction. You mentioned that it is going to be a long term project, the bigger the stump, the longer it will take. I would put it into the 'Dead Corner", feed it and forget about it for a few years at the minimum. Then once those shoots have put on some sizeable girth, I would think about then where to go and what to do.

If you cut any off it, try to strike them as they can come in very handy down the track should you wish to do any root or thread grafts.

Keep us posted on it please mate.

Cheers

David

I have to agree with David - how long since you collected it ? I think collected trees need to settle for at least a year before any work is done on them.

Thanks for the comments guys. I fully understand what you mean David and Tony. My one pet hate of trees that have been collected or left in the corner to grow on is they often end up with reverse taper or some other fault cause they are left to their own and no thought put into it. Hawthorns tend to have an upward growth habit close to the trunk. To get the branches coming of the trunk and the right angle I need to wire early. I don't want branches coming up then down as these will if left alone. I'm not planning on doing heaps of major work. Just getting an idea of where people think it could go and start planning for it. As you can see from this photo.. the branches are shooting straight up. The top main shoot is less than pencil thick but you could not bend it downwards properly without tearing it from the trunk. I want lower branches leaving the trunk at the right angle and can only do that if wired early. Someone was told me to plan early for a good tree later on. Just trying to plan ahead.
Tony the tree was collected in Sept last year so it's just on a year old since collecting. I usually wait 12 months minimum before doing any serious work although begin planning before then.
Thanks for the comments. Will see what happens in the next little while.

Josh

I would be planning on slightly taller tree, and. Be cutting back to th top shot an use that as the anew apex

Cut back with a slope away from the shot then Clem up the wound so it heals well.

If you have an idea of how yo want branching to look, the wire them all now so the set to shape. No harm in doing that now

definitely wire the new apex now and put movement into it whichever one you pick