Cut it short or cut it off? I kind of like the 3 trunks, there is a really good spread on thickness. Thank you for the advice. I am hoping to get lots through this process. And would you cut the tiny branch on the left side?Cut down that scrawny third trunk, tree will send all it's energy there as it's in an apical position.
Get rid of the smaller third trunk completely now (and all of the smaller twigging you have in the back too). All that adds nothing visually and has no future with such a base. It could also allow the trunk to push energy into that younger growth at the expense of pushing buds on the trunk where you want it.Cut it short or cut it off? I kind of like the 3 trunks, there is a really good spread on thickness. Thank you for the advice. I am hoping to get lots through this process. And would you cut the tiny branch on the left side?
Take a spray nozzle to the root mass and get it all out
Thank you for taking the time to write that. I really appreciate it. I did go back and trim the bark and cambium back to green tissue then sealed everything. Im not picking a automatic watering system becaise i think its best, but rather because its the least bad... my job in the summer is unpredictable. And the hotter and dryer it gets the less im home to pay attention and take care of things. I am typing this on my phone, on a tractor. Im open to better ideas that recognize that i may be gone 14 hours a day for a week while its 90deg and breezy.Get rid of the smaller third trunk completely now (and all of the smaller twigging you have in the back too). All that adds nothing visually and has no future with such a base. It could also allow the trunk to push energy into that younger growth at the expense of pushing buds on the trunk where you want it.
If you haven't sealed the chop wounds, GET OUT AND DO IT NOW! If you don't you will get significant die back down the trunk. Sealing big chop wounds at collection is a must with hornbeam.
I would also not use an automatic watering system. Just me, but a watering system will not be able to tell if the soil is dry or not. It will just water. If there is any field soil on the root mass, it will stay soggy. Removing all the field soil helps tremendously with this species. Take a spray nozzle to the root mass and get it all out...
automatic watering
Last year i killed trees which is why i want to do something different this year. I have had this schedual for 20 years or so, its not changing any time soon.Is this schedule new?
What did you do last year?
If you can water yourself in the morning....
You can probly just set up a system to lightly rewet the surfaces at about 3-4 PM.
At least that would work here for me.
Sorce