Exposed root Cat's Claw.

[Poink88]

I messed with this tree today because it started clawing on me every time I pass by. I think I did more that de-claw it but I know it will bounce back in a few weeks.

Which style do you prefer? Any other input welcome. Thanks!

Style "A"


Style "B"

 

[bumblebee]

What kind of tree is it?

 

[Poink88]

What kind of tree is it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia_greggii

Cat's Claw - Acacia greggii is a species of Acacia native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, from the extreme south of Utah (where, at 37°10' N it is the northernmost naturally occurring Acacia species anywhere in the world[citation needed]) south through southern Nevada, southeast California, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas to Baja California, Sinaloa and Nuevo León in Mexico.

Common names include Catclaw Acacia, Catclaw Mesquite, Gregg's Catclaw, Devil's Claw, Paradise Flower, Wait-a-minute Tree, and Wait-a-bit Tree; these names mostly come from the fact that the tree has numerous hooked prickles with the shape and size of a cat's claw, that tend to hook onto passers-by; the hooked person must stop ("wait a minute") to remove the prickles carefully to avoid injury or shredded clothing.

 

[drew33998]

"A" for me

 

[berobinson82]

A all day.

 

[nathanbs]

what does b look like if you rotated it 180 degrees?

 

[jkd2572]

God bless Texas and our second spring. I like the first option. "a".

 

[Poink88]

what does b look like if you rotated it 180 degrees?

You mean, viewed from the back? The root structure from that side is not nearly as good IMHO.

 

[Poink88]

BTW, the root base is not fully displayed in this pic yet. I will slowly lower the soil level and the pot sides next year to display it better.

 

[GrimLore]

That seems like it has similar requirements to the Bald Cypress. Interesting species indeed and I suppose if you let it grow under a window it would form a security barrier - those "claws" look pretty wicked

 

[Poink88]

... I suppose if you let it grow under a window it would form a security barrier - those "claws" look pretty wicked

They are razor sharp really hook super fast...one of the few trees I won't touch until fully de-clawed. I prune this and use the cutter to pick up and drop the cutting to a container. They are that menacing.

 

[october]

Tilt it towards the left, not the right. By doing so, you have a more balanced semi cascade. Notice the cascading branch is now longer and stronger than the apex branch. Which is how it should be. Also, you have more fluent curves where they should be. Also, by removing that root or trunk extension, it creates a nice curve in the top of the trunk.

You do not have to tilt it this much. This is just an example. To achieve this look, you might need to use a half moon crescent rock pot to accommodate the new planting angle.

Rob

 

[Poink88]

Thanks Rob.

I think it is much easier for me to revise the branches than go against the root flow. Even chop the left branch totally off if I have to.

It is not obvious but if you look closely at that pic (original upright orientation) you can see the major roots going to the right...almost to the edge of the pot.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Poink88]

Re root to be removed, I am still contemplating whether to remove it or pin it with the other roots since they are pliable even at that size.

 

[Poink88]

How about these?

View attachment 41737 View attachment 41738

 

[nathanbs]

Tilt it towards the left, not the right. By doing so, you have a more balanced semi cascade. Notice the cascading branch is now longer and stronger than the apex branch. Which is how it should be. Also, you have more fluent curves where they should be. Also, by removing that root or trunk extension, it creates a nice curve in the top of the trunk.

You do not have to tilt it this much. This is just an example. To achieve this look, you might need to use a half moon crescent rock pot to accommodate the new planting angle.

Rob

this is what i meant but I agree the roots are way too opposite for this design. Thanks Rob

 

[nathanbs]

How about these?

View attachment 41737 View attachment 41738

i like the second pic. that could be a promising cascade

 

[A Random User]

Which style do you prefer? Any other input welcome. Thanks!

Style "A"


I think that bringing this tree up and forming the trunk out of it's roots
has worked really well here. The root that is hanging off you might nail it
back against the trunk, I usually use those brass nails that are sold for
picture framing, and then sink them a little with a nail punch. They are
non-corrosive.

As far as style...
I would have to go with "A".
These are a high desert plant... with what seems to grow rather heavy bark.
The trunk with some time is going to dry out and hopefully start putting
on this heavy bark. Which is going to obviously give the tree a much more
rugged appearance. So jins, sharis, and deadwood, would also be something
one might down the line consider for it as well...

I gotta say that for now, I would let the tree grow for a yr or so and then you
will probably have quite a few options to go with. Not having any branches
further down your now lifted trunk, doesn't bother me, so personally I wouldn't
waste any time trying to cut back in hopes of sending out lower shoots. I would
just start working from where everything is now...
This doesn't mean you couldn't bring a branch or 2 down to help frame out the
trunk though...

 

[A Random User]

Oh... one more thing.
You probably know this, but worth mentioning...
Don't remove the thorns, for that is where all the new
shoots form.

 

[Poink88]

Oh... one more thing.
You probably know this, but worth mentioning...
Don't remove the thorns, for that is where all the new
shoots form.

Not my experience with this tree. When I got it, I totally de-clawed it...not a single thorn was left and it sent shoots from everywhere. You can see a few (white) places where I removed some branches. Buds shoot at the nodes (as normal) above the leaves on this.