I’ve been engaged on a big coast redwood for the previous few years in suits and begins. After an preliminary pruning and repotting (see “Coast redwood” for particulars) I’ve labored on the tree in earnest a number of occasions solely to let it develop out once more.
After a number of cycles of this, I eliminated nearly all the branches so I may restart the method from scratch.
August, 2020
After main cutback – October, 2020
The tree has continued to develop vigorously over the previous yr however once more I rapidly let it get out of practice.
August, 2021
My targets for creating the tree are to ascertain new main branches and enhance department density – a course of achieved rapidly with frequent pruning and pinching. By protecting the branches I wish to ramify brief and letting the branches I wish to thicken develop freely, I can pursue each targets directly.
After cutback – August, 2021
As a result of the tree has grown a lot prior to now two years, it was in want of a repot. I’d solely repotted the tree as soon as earlier than so I needed to scale back the bottom of the trunk (which had been resting on the underside of the pot) and take away as a lot of the outdated soil as potential.
Right here’s what the basis ball seemed like after eradicating 1-2 inches of wooden from the bottom of the trunk.
Root ball after cutback – aspect view
And right here’s what the bottom of the tree seemed like after carving it with a reciprocating noticed and an influence chisel.
After lowering the bottom of the trunk
I’d hoped to plant the tree in a shallower container however I didn’t have any pots that have been proper for the tree so I returned it to the unglazed oval it had been rising in.
After cutback and repotting, 44″ tall – December, 2021
I don’t anticipate the tree to develop a lot till the climate warms up, however when it does begin rising, I’ll try and work on it at any time when it wants a trim.
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