my kousa dogwood

hinmo24t

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bought it from same guy on craigslist where i got my green acer from seed
let it grow and survive for a year and hardcut it recently with the repot. i think the roots were pretty good on this so
im looking forward to some taper developing now that i worked them

also, the kousa backbudded strongly, i have new leafs within 3" of the trunk on the top branches now, didnt previously.

i plan to let it grow out another 2ish weeks (post caterpillar apocalypse) and possibly bring the branches by 1/3 or .5
i guess i might consider bringing the cop down to an inch or so from the branches as well, and maybe ditch one of the main branches altogether


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new setup for this year
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Forsoothe!

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As unwelcome of a thought as it might be, you need to address choosing which of the wagon-wheel branches you will keep and which you will sacrifice to perfection before you get lumps.
 

hinmo24t

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As unwelcome of a thought as it might be, you need to address choosing which of the wagon-wheel branches you will keep and which you will sacrifice to perfection before you get lumps.
good to know. i have three main branches in mind for that, i will look to make the move soon and knock the top cut down a few inches. damn caterpillars doing work on that bench for a week but i think thats over soon, i want to give everything a few more weeks before my second pruning since repotting everything in late march
 

VAFisher

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Eventually, you will want to remove at least one of those 3 branches that emerge from the same level- otherwise you will get a big bulge there. You could remove one, cut the trunk flush with the other two and then wire one up as new leader. Or maybe even better, just let it grow this year and chop the trunk below those branches this winter. It should pop buds all over and you would have many more options and a better tree eventually.

I hope you're successful with it, because you don't see a lot of dogwoods as bonsai. I have one failed attempt with our native dogwood in the east (cornus florida), but haven't given up on it and have a few in the ground now. So far I'm also having pretty good luck with rough leaf dogwood (cornus drummondii), which is native to the mid west and parts of LA.
 

hinmo24t

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Eventually, you will want to remove at least one of those 3 branches that emerge from the same level- otherwise you will get a big bulge there. You could remove one, cut the trunk flush with the other two and then wire one up as new leader. Or maybe even better, just let it grow this year and chop the trunk below those branches this winter. It should pop buds all over and you would have many more options and a better tree eventually.
damn huh, overlooked the bulge factor and went to the 3 or 5 rule too soon.

i do think it will backbud like you said, but was hoping to get into developing it from here. ill make sure to keep any lower buds as future options for below everything like you said, too. damn...when the bulge backfires

i think id have to hard chop again and go lower because i dont want a leader from so high up ... will wait until next spring
 

Peconomou

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I just pick up a large one that was discarded at a nursery. Will not touch until spring
 

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Forsoothe!

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I just pick up a large one that was discarded at a nursery. Will not touch until spring
Growing seasons around the world vary widely and it is difficult to get a perspective on what someone says when we don't know where in the world they are. We need to have your info on every post, or you’ll be asked over and over. If you go to the upper right hand corner and click on your Icon, you can add your location and people will be able to customize advice for you, and you might connect with another local.

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