VAFisher
Masterpiece
I bought this tree from Andy Smith last year. The trunk and the bark are what drew me to the tree but it has some design challenges. I would love to get some thoughts from some of the experienced Spruce people on how they would approach this tree. Especially, the problem area in the upper right of the tree.
Here's the tree at the current planting angle.
I've been considering what it would look like standing more upright.
Close up of the problematic area at the top right.
And looking in from the right side at that area.
My inclination is that the fat upright branch at the back has to go. I've reduced it a lot in preparation for that but haven't done the deed. I'm also not totally enamored with the straightness of the branch in front of it but I think I can hide that with foliage and making it shorter.
How would you approach this tree? Do you think it would benefit from grafting some additional branches on it? Or leave it sparse to make the trunk the primary focus? Would you plant it more upright and lose that back branch?
Here's the tree at the current planting angle.
I've been considering what it would look like standing more upright.
Close up of the problematic area at the top right.
And looking in from the right side at that area.
My inclination is that the fat upright branch at the back has to go. I've reduced it a lot in preparation for that but haven't done the deed. I'm also not totally enamored with the straightness of the branch in front of it but I think I can hide that with foliage and making it shorter.
How would you approach this tree? Do you think it would benefit from grafting some additional branches on it? Or leave it sparse to make the trunk the primary focus? Would you plant it more upright and lose that back branch?