New Salicaria

[Ryan H]

Hey bn,

New salicaria, can't decide what to do with it. Thought about just trying to spread and drop the canopy and clean the trunk except for maybe two of the back buds. Or could totally reshape it like the crude sketch shows. Other ideas?

 

[Jeremy]

I would be focusing on the roots to start with, you'll be able to start several new trees from them. Mid-late summer is ideal time for repotting, you may also cut the top back at this time and wait to see where it buds. Ultimately I think you'll want a shorter tree than this already is. The upside is its a good piece of material to work with, as the root cuttings will give you more tree to focus on.

 

[Ryan H]

I would be focusing on the roots to start with, you'll be able to start several new trees from them. Mid-late summer is ideal time for repotting, you may also cut the top back at this time and wait to see where it buds. Ultimately I think you'll want a shorter tree than this already is. The upside is its a good piece of material to work with, as the root cuttings will give you more tree to focus on.

So you think use the roots above the surface as root cuttings? Would you trim anything along the side of the trunk now?

 

[Jeremy]

So you think use the roots above the surface as root cuttings? Would you trim anything along the side of the trunk now?

Exactly, the roots are much too long and messy to use. When you repot in summer just cut them back to a nice radial set if possible, all those cuttings will have nice bends in them already. They will sprout a hundred buds all around the cambium of the cut, let them grow out to 8 leaves then thin out all the shoots and find a design.
As for the rest of the tree, there is plenty of useable (?) shoots down low, so I would cut off the vigorous top and try to build some taper into the trunk.

 

[Ryan H]

I appreciate the advice, I kinda figured I would have to tame that bush at the top eventually..