AusBonsai

Hello all, Im hoping there is someone or two who have had success with coprosma in the past. I Acquired this shrub recently which has been in garden pot for at least the last 9 years that I know of and want to know if you can chop these back fairly hard and information on repotting….basically any advice on this species. Would like to turn it into a twin trunk and reduce the canopy a fair bit.

Kind Regards,

Lars

You can chop coprosma and it will back bud well, but I had it as a garden plant. Repot should not be a problem too...

I agree with Neli. Cut it as hard as you like. It will bud on bare wood and will tolerate quite severe root pruning. Fresh potting mix and a bit of feed should see it grow like crazy.

Great, will chop with confidence and thanks for the prompt replies! Photos to follow soon.

I cut back this Coprosma about 4 weeks ago here it is today
Thanks John

Great job, looks really nice.

Josh

Wow great tree John, Thats what I'm aiming for! well here is the coprosma cut back hard, not nearly as exciting as your post, however they have to start somewhere right! I thought I might leave the repot until its well on its way again. No Styling done apart from bringing the trunks closer and selective branch removal. Also have been considering a front maybe too soon to decide, all advice and critique is always welcome….

I can see a couple of long, straight sections still Lars. I think I would have cut it a bit more in some places but that can always be done later.
By the way. I think you have given it a 'light trim'. 'Cut back hard' in my language would see it far smaller than this

Good idea to leave the repot. Usually better to proceed slowly.

I'd watch those wires that are pulling the trunks together.
They are likely to make some very nasty marks in a short space of time.

Thanks for the advice maybe some leather or something to spread the pressure along the trunk line some more….Im tending to agree that the branches are too long or to be more descriptive they are running too long with no movement. will take note and make some amendments. cheers

Here are the amendments, also couldn't wait so a repot as well. Hoping it settles in

Well done. that is a far better start to a tree. You now need to allow new shoots to grow so you can select the ones in the best positions to grow new branches.
I would allow selected shoots to grow quite long (wire base into appropriate angles while still flexible) to get a bit of thickness then cut back hard again then allow to grow again, allow a bit less growth 2nd time around. Repeat as often as necessary to develop well proportioned branches. DO NOT try to grow branches full length in one go - they will have little movement and, even if wired, no taper and little ramification. grow and cut + wiring for position definitely produces better branches long term.

I note that both trunks appear to be similar thickness at the moment. While growing new branches try to keep new shoots and growth on the smaller trunk to a minimum, maybe even defoliate occasionally to slow thickening and let the larger trunk grow more, longer branches to help it gain some weight.

This is some seriously good information, which im sure can be used for many tree species? greatly appreciated! Thanks for the positive reveiw also. I have noticed on other acclaimed twin trunks were one trunk is shorter then the other it is also thinner for good proportion, so this method you have described will be quite important to me over the long term and is something I didn't consider for this tree. I guess if you don't know it, you can't apply it!