Southern Hackberry project

[Dav4]

For sure, I can fully support the more naturalistic design. Looking at the first two branches closer again, I do see they are slightly staggered. There are surely other ways to keep them from fighting each other for dominance in the design than removal. I think if I had the material and kept both branches, I would keep one of them shorter than the other as to compliment each other. Even a slight difference in their length could give it a more natural feel and break up the big plus sign shape they create in the viewers eye. Thanks for the thoughtful response!

That's the plan! That's the main reason the branches were cut back so hard this year.

 

[Dav4]

A new leader has been wired up to replace the old leader, which is pushing an inch thick and isn’t done yet. Lost one root graft but the other is growing well. The hard cut back was a good idea I think. Neked photos this fall to confirm.

 

[Dav4]

No repot this year... I will need a machete to see inside this canopy.

 

[LanceMac10]

…...looks like a coupleafew years of "goat pruning" might/could produce something pretty interesting.....and I ain't kidding. Goats are my kryptonite.....

 

[Lazylightningny]

No repot this year... I will need a machete to see inside this canopy.
View attachment 238512

Looks happy. Big ole power leaves

 

[Dav4]

Building vigor this year and thickening up the lower branches and new apex.

 

[Dav4]

The extreme heat and drought has pretty much put the brakes on any new growth on this one, so it had the lower sacrifice branches cut back... I deliberately left some green on each branch but plan on cutting back further this winter. Overall, I was very pleased with the amount of thickening on the lower branches and will repeat the process next growing season. The apex is coming along nicely as well.

 

[JudyB]

They sure are happy growers aren't they. It will probably start right back up growing again in a week... Mine has growth spurts after the slow times.

 

[Dav4]

Last picture of the year before this one gets placed under the deck until next February. I’m looking forward to getting this one into a real bonsai pot, but that may have to wait one more year to allow another season of unbridled growth in the lower branches. It will definitely get its roots worked next spring, though, and will get cut back a little more once it starts to green up. I’ve learned the hard way that southern Hackberry tend to drop small branches so I’m being cautious with fall pruning right now.

 

[sorce]

thickening on the lower branches and will repeat the process next growing season.

Before reading this i felt it was a little too big already, or at least close to too big. But then I keep looking at it and I think it's actually the 90 that bothers me. Grow a branch to cover that area perhaps?

Of course, no one said you weren't going to have dropped D branches. I kinda dig this extra heavy look, like damn near a subtrunk.
Surely a definitive feature.

Anyway, is it too big?

I think you would fare well allowing an overall (every branch) thickening next year, see what this branch'll do on a trimmed year.

My largest fear is, that branch will hold so much foliage regularly, that it will quickly outgrow "reality". Could be just the further defining of that 90 I'm scared of.

Something about the very old, very tall, scale of the tree that the size of that branch portrays right now I love.

Keep looking keep talking....

I think it's because it's about a third the size of the trunk it comes from currently.
When the 3rd marker is broke, I think it's physically, naturally, only possible if it becomes an actual subtrunk, which then dictates it's shape, so it can no longer be styled as a branch.

Blah. I just need tree talk.

We need more Hacks. Ahem!

Sorce

 

[Dav4]

Before reading this i felt it was a little too big already, or at least close to too big. But then I keep looking at it and I think it's actually the 90 that bothers me. Grow a branch to cover that area perhaps?

Of course, no one said you weren't going to have dropped D branches. I kinda dig this extra heavy look, like damn near a subtrunk.
Surely a definitive feature.

Anyway, is it too big?

I think you would fare well allowing an overall (every branch) thickening next year, see what this branch'll do on a trimmed year.

My largest fear is, that branch will hold so much foliage regularly, that it will quickly outgrow "reality". Could be just the further defining of that 90 I'm scared of.

Something about the very old, very tall, scale of the tree that the size of that branch portrays right now I love.

Keep looking keep talking....

I think it's because it's about a third the size of the trunk it comes from currently.
When the 3rd marker is broke, I think it's physically, naturally, only possible if it becomes an actual subtrunk, which then dictates it's shape, so it can no longer be styled as a branch.

Blah. I just need tree talk.

We need more Hacks. Ahem!

Sorce

I understand your concern about that lowest branch, but suspect it shouldn't be an issue for a long time. I doubt the base of that branch will noticeably thicken if it runs wild for another year or two, and i need to heal those scars on the top as well as build taper in the sub branches. Also, exposing the spreading root base which is hidden right now, and building a slightly taller, fuller canopy will minimize the visual impact of that branch. I'm definitely leaning toward getting into a bonsai pot this spring if the roots are far enough along... stay tuned.

 

[Dav4]

This one just got it's late winter cut back and it's first re-pot in two years... yikes! It took almost an hour to hack through the mass of roots to expose the nebari... one more year and it might be ready for a real pot and some akadama

 

[jason biggs]

The roots are looking awesome!! just need to muscle up the trunk a bit.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Good dog. Tree looked much better without alpine Fir tree outline.

 

[Dav4]

Repotted today. Another tree with enough upside to warrant moving to an akadama blend during training. I’m learning that akadama really is the best soil for developing fine roots, so we went that way to see where it goes. Out of the mica pot and into a much nicer stoneware pot from the Czech Republic. One more year on the board, too.

 

[Dav4]

Still growing like a weed…