AusBonsai

Hi Folks

I would like some suggestions please on a starting height for these two open ground grown trees. The Swampy is 1.35m tall with a base trunk diameter of 55mm. The Redwood is 2.33m tall with a base trunk diameter of 70mm.

My thoughts were an initial height of 0.9-1m. I like taller more elegant trees than thick squatty ones.

Is it worth keeping any of the thicker bottom branches on them, especially the Redwood or better to remove them all and start with new branches?

If the trunks are straight, as I intend a formal upright style for both, how does one find a front? No roots facing forward the better side for a front?

Do they need any special potting mix? I assume a good open mix that retains moisture because they tend to grow in moist swampy conditions

I have attached an initial photo of each tree.

Fred

Plenty of questions...
Cutting height - I always make the initial trunk cut way below the finished height of the tree to allow for the new leader to grow until it blends in with the existing trunk. I'd recommend 2 or 3 trunk cut backs over the next few years to give good taper. so for a tree of 1m tall I'd make the first cut at 40-50 cm.

Front - usually choose the front where the trunk has the widest spread unless there's a reason not to - scars, really bad root spread, etc. This is usually where the strongest roots are on eaither side rather than poking out to the front. You will need roots all round the trunk, including the front - just try to avoid the strongest roots at the front. The final front will probably depend on the branch placement as much as root position so it may change a few times over the next few years as the trees develop.

Branches - see how they look when the height is reduced - might look too thick for the trunk. Remember they will thicken as the trees grow so should not be too thick compared to the trunk at this stage. I would probably take most off at this stage and grow them back at the same time as the new leaders grow. Even if you keep the existing branches they will need to be drastically shortened to make them branch out. Cut them back to where you want the first sub branch to grow - say 1/4 length of finished length? or less. Develop branches the same as trunks ie. cut back hard, allow leader to extend, cut back again, allow to extend, etc until the desired length and density is achieved.

Neither species seems to need special mix - jusk keep them well watered.
One of our club members has potted up a swampy forest in a tray with no holes so he can keep them really wet and flood them when needed.

Hi Shibui

Many thanks for your detailed advice. I will keep them in mind as I deal with these two trees over the coming years.

Regards

Fred

Hi Fred
Nice trees, Did you grow them or purchased?

You will have to reduce the root balls quite a bit in the next few years
Like shibui says, the front is best chosen for the root arrangement. Cut back hard and start the regrowth of them

Kne

Hi Kne

I purchased them.

Fred