Hi,
I recently acquired this JBP. I'm told by the nursery that it was from a private collection and the guy had to sell it as he could no longer look after them (Japanese import originally). The nursery has then kept it for another two years to bring it back to health and they also had to take out a few dead branches which was is a shame. I just loved the base (10 inches across) and taper of the trunk:
Now the problem is the unchecked apex has shaded out all the lower branches and they have all become very leggy:
I'm told I have two options.
1. Let the lower branches grow unchecked for two seasons and then cut then back hard to promote back budding.
2. Graft new branches on. I this case which is better for JBP? approach grafting or sicon grafts?
I am also planning to thin out the top this winter to let more light into the lower branches of the tree.
I would love to get your opinions on how you guys would approach this trees issues if it were yours?
I recently acquired this JBP. I'm told by the nursery that it was from a private collection and the guy had to sell it as he could no longer look after them (Japanese import originally). The nursery has then kept it for another two years to bring it back to health and they also had to take out a few dead branches which was is a shame. I just loved the base (10 inches across) and taper of the trunk:
Now the problem is the unchecked apex has shaded out all the lower branches and they have all become very leggy:
I'm told I have two options.
1. Let the lower branches grow unchecked for two seasons and then cut then back hard to promote back budding.
2. Graft new branches on. I this case which is better for JBP? approach grafting or sicon grafts?
I am also planning to thin out the top this winter to let more light into the lower branches of the tree.
I would love to get your opinions on how you guys would approach this trees issues if it were yours?