So, I just jumped in on this one, but was reading across the forums today and plenty of people saying these are quite slow to grow... so I guess this will be a long term project.
This certainly isn't advice, and I don't want to sound like I know what I'm doing. This is just what has worked for me in the past. I love reading the forums here and just wanted to share.
So the approach is to cut the tree down to the base, leaving one branch which will be the new apex and another branch as a sacrifice branch. I try to select a sacrifice branch which is on the opposite side of the apex branch, out of the way. For the apex branch, I try to look at the root branching and a side branch that has a good angle to the trunk (so whatever I think will look good, eventually).
Above is the plant post-chop. There are a few more smaller branches that I leave just in-case I manage to kill the new apex branch first wiring
I then hollow out the chop. This helps things heal over faster (at least that's what I believe). Because it's a young tree, as the new apex thickens up and the cut heals over, I still end up with a nice rounded bend where the cut was made.
The reason I bother to do this, and what has worked for me... as the tree grows and branches, I select individual branches as the apex path. Which allows me to select bends which would be difficult to get with just wiring. Also, as I cut back at each new bend as the apex progresses, it thickens the base and creates taper.
Anyone else into chopping right back to build taper? Or think it's too risky / not worth it / dumb idea? Thoughts?
