Dogwood pre bonsai advice , suggestions?

[Brim Gribley]

Hello everyone,
I dug up this dogwood A year back in late autumn, it has been revived using the black bag method to Health status I believe will survive a fairly heavy pruning. I am having a major dilemma on deciding the structure of the future tree, any advice on proceeding would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[Brim Gribley]

The ideas I am thinking are to either slice off all the branches Leaving just the stump( pushing 2 1/2” diameter), or something similar to the edited pic. I’m very open to suggestions and I know the group always gives wonderful advice!

 

[BobbyLane]

I like the virtual. if you put dogwood into the search bar and tick the title box, a few progressions should come up, which should give you an idea into how they grow etc

 

[Brim Gribley]

I like the virtual. if you put dogwood into the search bar and tick the title box, a few progressions should come up, which should give you an idea into how they grow etc

Thank you Bobby!

 

[Colorado]

Nice base and initial section of trunk, but everything above that first branch is a mess. May be quicker and better in the long run to just restart the branches from scratch. Just my 2 cents anyway.

 

[BobbyLane]

If it was mine I would probably make these cuts, this is based on dormant nodes I can see and hope they pop

 

[Brim Gribley]

Nice base and initial section of trunk, but everything above that first branch is a mess. May be quicker and better in the long run to just restart the branches from scratch. Just my 2 cents anyway.

Thank you Colorado,
I have definitely considered this heavily and still am to a certain extent. My main concern with this option is I am weary of scarring the tree more than it already is.

 

[Brim Gribley]

If it was mine I would probably make these cuts, this is based on dormant nodes I can see and hope they pop
View attachment 452728

This is very helpful I do have a concern however with one branch in particular, When viewed from a certain angle it creates an awkward line and inverse taper. If I were to remove it completely do you think there is a possibility of carving the entire scar once it has calloused?

 

[Brim Gribley]

If I were to remove the branch through the redline would I be able to carve the deadwood notch and the healed callus from the cut? Or hope for backbudding on the Purple Cut.

 

[Brim Gribley]

Colorado, your input is greatly appreciated as well if you have an opinion on this matter. Thank you both

 

[BobbyLane]

dunno, depends where you want your front to be. that angle is a lot different from the first pic you showed!

 

[Brim Gribley]

I am planning on the front being the view from the first picture

 

[Brim Gribley]

The discussed branch is the Far left when looking at the first picture. Part of me thinks it should go according to rules and the other part thinks it gives it character

 

[Colorado]

Colorado, your input is greatly appreciated as well if you have an opinion on this matter. Thank you both

I would defer to Bobby on this one, his suggested cuts look good to me. Then you can always reduce further once you see what buds you get, if necessary.

 

[Brim Gribley]

Hello all,
Figured I’d post an update

 

[Brim Gribley]

 

[Cmd5235]

I’m trying to envision this tree in a few years. I look at the dogwoods all around me, with their multiple trunks and open canopies, and think you can get there. I would cut back all those small shoots from the trunk next spring, work that left leader and carve out the trunk heavily. I would personally wire those two branches on the right more horizontal, and develop that side as just a foliage pad and not a second trunk.

 

[Brim Gribley]

I’m trying to envision this tree in a few years. I look at the dogwoods all around me, with their multiple trunks and open canopies, and think you can get there. I would cut back all those small shoots from the trunk next spring, work that left leader and carve out the trunk heavily. I would personally wire those two branches on the right more horizontal, and develop that side as just a foliage pad and not a second trunk.

Thank you! I Really like and appreciate that advice, I wired those branches up just to keep them off the black bag it was in, And I was thinking about what to do with them, I like your idea very much

 

[Brim Gribley]

 

[Brim Gribley]

Update: I went with Bobbys suggestions and chopped of the branches early spring, when repotting, I saw those big ficus like roots and chop them, leaving the finer ones to reestablish. Hoping for the best