Boxwood RoadKill

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Chumono
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I found this on the side of road for pickup last year. Someone was redoing their yard and had a few of these dug up. The roots were already dried when I found it but I can't turn down a free tree to learn with. I put it in a large pot that had standard MG potting soil. The soil was deep in the pot so I could not see much of the tree to work with. I thought I had cut back more roots than I really did, so after purchasing a large bonsai pot to move the tree into I found it has much more roots than I had pot. I was afraid to do any root cutting this time of year but really wanted to get the tree in the open to start working on. I got a large nursery pot from our city horticulture department and cut it down to the size for the roots. I realize the 3 limbs going to the left are too long/tall, but can cut them back anytime.

Keep Lookin Up!
Michael
 

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Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy
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Nice tree, and lucky find. This one appears to have a fair amount of potential. If this were my tree, I'd try to bury the nebari up to the base of the trunk to encourage more root ramification. Keep us posted.

Dave
 

ml_work

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Thanks for the positive replies men. I have a couple of ideas in mind, I am going to leave the height till I get it in a good pot. Like I say, I can always cut it in just a few seconds. But my guess would be 20-years of growing here?
Dave : "If this were my tree, I'd try to bury the nebari up to the base of the trunk to encourage more root ramification." Explain? You think to roots need more size?
Thanks,
Michael
 

Dav4

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Dave : "If this were my tree, I'd try to bury the nebari up to the base of the trunk to encourage more root ramification." Explain? You think to roots need more size?
Thanks,
Michael

No, if anything you need smaller, more ramified roots. The roots are ok at the junction to the trunk, but get a bit ugly from there on (mind you, some folks like roots like this...I don't). By removing the wrap around roots and cutting back the thicker, overlong roots over time, you will hopefully get finer roots to grow. I have no experience with boxwoods, but I suspect you can remake the roots over time if you chose. Perhaps, folk with more experience with boxwoods might chime in. This is nice material...leave it alone this year and let it grow stronger before doing anything to it. Good luck.

Dave
 

Kirk

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Hi Michael,

Would it be difficult to post a closer image of the stems/leaves? The image is a little blurred and my eyes can't get a lock on the foliage (could be my eyes). I could be way off base, but it looks like a yaupon holly to me rather than a boxwood.

My best,
Kirk
 

ml_work

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Kirk..I will get better pictures (with out all the background stuff showing) and post them. It may not be a boxwood, with my lack of experience I call any shrub growing around a house a boxwood. Also I have a couple more RoadKill finds that have come back to life. I will post them to find out more.

Dave, I think I follow what you are saying. And I do plan to just let it grow now that I have it in a pot I can see it. I did cut some leaves and small stems to start some kind of shape when I got it where I could see it. Not sure if I will venture into removal of roots, I am having enough trouble/fun just keeping my trees alive at this point.
Thanks,
Michael
 

rockm

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That ain't a boxwood from what I can see. Bark and trunk aren't "right" for boxwood. Leaves say it's a privet.
 

ml_work

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Kirk, here are a couple of close pics of the limbs and leaves that I took yesterday. I cannot locate the original picture of the tree when I brought it home, it was a pretty large tree, I did a lot of cut back on it then.
Have a Great Day!
Michael
 

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rockm

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Definitely a privet. They're almost indestructible.
 

Kirk

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Kirk, here are a couple of close pics of the limbs and leaves that I took yesterday. I cannot locate the original picture of the tree when I brought it home, it was a pretty large tree, I did a lot of cut back on it then.
Have a Great Day!
Michael

Michael,

Thanks for the additional pics. Others have already given you an I.D. on it. I had a feeling that it wasn't boxwood (Buxus) from the bark texture and color. Knowing exactly what species you are dealing with always helps to put you on the right track for its cultivation. Have fun with the privet!

My best,
Kirk
 

ml_work

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Definitely a privet. They're almost indestructible.

"They're almost indestructible"
Sounds like my kind of tree! Maybe I can keep it alive.
Thanks to both of you for the info.
Michael
 
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