A collected hawthorn

[M. Frary]

Here is a hawthorn that I collected 3 weeks ago. It already is growing some buds. Excellent!

 

[dkraft81]

I like the subtle movement in the trunk. Isnt it great to see buds form. I collected a plum this spring that took just over a month to push some buds.

 

[Zach Smith]

Here is a hawthorn that I collected 3 weeks ago. It already is growing some buds. Excellent!

Good job on the trunk chop. You've got a nice old trunk with bark to build from. You should be able to create the taper you need over the next five years or so. Just be sure not to stop the process too soon.

Zach

 

[M. Frary]

I honestly didn't think anything would happen. I had to use a chainsaw to cut 3 large roots. These things are pretty tough.

 

[Zach Smith]

I honestly didn't think anything would happen. I had to use a chainsaw to cut 3 large roots. These things are pretty tough.

That's why I use a cordless reciprocating saw. Hawthorn is about the toughest wood of any species I collect. Glad you got it, though. Keep us posted on your progress.

Zach

 

[JudyB]

Nice collection! glad it's budding up for you.

 

[M. Frary]

I was pleasantly surprised to see the buds so soon. So these grow slow Zach? You mentioned it should take about 5 yrs.to grow.the next trunk section?
Thanks Judy and draft. Buds are good.

 

[jkd2572]

I think Zack was referring to the fact that you will need to let the new leader grow un cut for 5 years to build taper before cutting it back down again. With that being said I have never grown hawthorn so I do not know the growth rate.

 

[davetree]

Nice trunk ! Nice bark too. How big is it ? It might take a few years to grow the next section.

 

[M. Frary]

Nice trunk ! Nice bark too. How big is it ? It might take a few years to grow the next section.

It is a little over 3" at the soil.

 

[M. Frary]

I think Zack was referring to the fact that you will need to let the new leader grow un cut for 5 years to build taper before cutting it back down again. With that being said I have never grown hawthorn so I do not know the growth rate.

That was what I thought he was getting at. I don't know the growth and rate either but I have a feeling I'll be finding out.

 

[M. Frary]

There's a reason they call it miracle grow.

 

[Zach Smith]

That was what I thought he was getting at. I don't know the growth and rate either but I have a feeling I'll be finding out.

Yeah, it'll take a while to make the tapering transition work. Your biggest challenge will be to maintain the growth rate of the successive leaders as the overall growth rate slows due to root buildup. First year is best, second not as much, etc. That's why it's always best to collect trees that have roughly 80% of their final trunk with the appropriate taper and character. Growing from stumps is a slow process, more so in a container.

Zach

 

[SimonDuval]

Zach, the solution is very simple, carving! You can make a heck of a bonsai with a stump, 4-5 years and a good power tool

 

[Zach Smith]

Zach, the solution is very simple, carving! You can make a heck of a bonsai with a stump, 4-5 years and a good power tool

Excellent idea! If it won't grow out fast or well enough, carve away enough wood to make the transition work. This is actually a technique commonly used with bald cypress, which heals so well you can really carve a lot of taper into the upper parts of the trunk.

Zach

 

[M. Frary]

Yeah, it'll take a while to make the tapering transition work. Your biggest challenge will be to maintain the growth rate of the successive leaders as the overall growth rate slows due to root buildup. First year is best, second not as much, etc. That's why it's always best to collect trees that have roughly 80% of their final trunk with the appropriate taper and character. Growing from stumps is a slow process, more so in a container.

Zach

Would it help to eliminate branches I know I will never use now to direct more power to the top leaders?

 

[SimonDuval]

If it was mine, and I do collect several hawthorns every year, I would remove everything in the lower third of that stump. I would also remove double and triple shoots and leave only 1, hawthorn really has a tendency to throw these and they won't get anywhere.

 

[Poink88]

If it was mine, and I do collect several hawthorns every year, I would remove everything in the lower third of that stump. I would also remove double and triple shoots and leave only 1, hawthorn really has a tendency to throw these and they won't get anywhere.

I agree. Maybe even remove more esp. the lower ones inside the curve.

 

[M. Frary]

Excellent. Just as I thought but wanted a little reinforcement. This my rawest hawthorn and any little thing to speed things up helps.

Thank you.

 

[M. Frary]

Another update. This one is going into the ground next to that Hops Hornbeam! And I thought my bristlecone was slow!