Pseudocydonia, Chinese Quince

Brian Van Fleet

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I couldn't find a thread on this one, so here is a new one.

I bought this Chinese Quince in 2006 on eBay, from Sebastapol CA (first photo). It went in the ground in 2007, and stayed there 8 years, unattended, with the exception of several trunk chops. I wish I would have chopped the second section much shorter, and developed a more 3-dimensional trunk line. This one is rather flat.

It will likely be chopped back to midway up the second trunk section to improve taper, movement, and 3-dimensionality...probably mid-summer if the root ball is solid enough. The back branch peeking out could make an interesting 3rd trunk section (blue line). Another option is to chop at the red line, but the chop may be difficult to transition in my lifetime. Thoughts? I should be able to get it back in the ground next spring.
 

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JudyB

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Personally I like the shape as unconventional as it is. I would go with the three trunk idea, that will help to make the image even more interesting. I think that C. Quince can get away with being a different sort of tree, not like other deciduous. I would keep it all, and work with what it has going for it, once you have more trunks happening, you may be able to embrace that other trunk.
 

BethF

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I think you should cut it back as you've envisioned. Judy's right, chinese quince are good material for unconventional trees. Their growth habits defy the rules we seek to impose, yet they are very beautiful. However, the second section of the trunk is longer than the first, and there's no taper between the two. It's visually distracting and will always be no matter how you decide to eventually style it.
 

Vin

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Personally, I like your idea of a third trunk. However, even your proposed cut on the upper trunk leaves it rather large. I have no experience with Quince so It will be interesting to see it develop.
 

Paulpash

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I've been trying to figure out why this looks a bit 'gawky' and to my eye there's 3 reasons:

1/ The long trunk sections: chop 1 & 2 are too long
2/ Inverse taper around that first right branch
3/ It rises vertically then shoots off to the left.

I quite like BonsaiNut's air layer idea, a diagonal chop at the first branch junction to get a little more taper & movement in the first stove pipe section and tipping the planting angle left.
 

Brian Van Fleet

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Maybe I wasn't clear...the red line is one chop option, trying to use a left branch as the new leader. The blue line is more drastic, but probably the better option...
 

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Paulpash

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Maybe I wasn't clear...the red line is one chop option, trying to use a left branch as the new leader. The blue line is more drastic, but probably the better option...

The 2 virts you posted still have that wasp waist and my eye keeps going to it. It has a great base from nebari to first branch.
 

sorce

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Yeah....besides those 2 roots....that remind me of the game Rampage....when you die and the naked person holds their crotch and moves off the screen....

The base is strong enough to use the whole thing..IMO.

Sorce
 

Jason

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I'm not sure if it's true, since I don't work with this species, but I've heard they take forever to heal wounds. I'm glad you didn't try to air later it. I think the canary will fill in nicely. Nice pot!
 

Brian Van Fleet

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Of course. We all speak iPhone-ese by now! Of course a filled out canary could be mildly entertaining.
 
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