BOXWOOD TREE HELP PLEASE.

August44

Omono
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I have had this Boxwood tree for almost 3 years. From the nursery of course. I trimmed back the interior and removed some branching 2 years ago, and have not touched it since. The specs on it are:

Pot: Height=12"
Width=10"
Soil height is 7" from top to bottom of pot
Tree height from base (soil) to top of tree=18"
Diameter of foliage=18"
Trunk at base 1.75"
Nebari= 4.5" (area covered in moss)
Vickie Chamberlain pot 10" X 3" (inside measurements)

I want to repot and maybe do a little trimming today and want to get opinions before I do that as I am inexperienced. How much of the root ball can I cut off...enought to go in this pot do you think? If not, I can cut off less, and put in a bigger/deeper unglazed pot. How long after repot do I need to wait before trimming foliage?

As always, help appreciated!
 

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Kullas

Shohin
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I only have one. I got it this spring I put it in a smaller pot and done some trimming. It took a couple months to show signs of life. I thought I had killed it. I dont know alot about boxwood but I lump them into the better to repot in spring group. Maybe someone else will chime in and know so I can learn to.
Nice looking tree.
 

coachspinks

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There are those who say you can repot boxwoods just about any time of the year. I have done that and with good aftercare all have lived and thrived. However, taking one from a nursery pot into that bonsai pot is likely too much, especially this late. I am pretty conservative when it comes to reducing the roots, especially when the timing isn't ideal. If it were mine, I'd likely work on the top until next spring but if you have to have it in a bonsai pot, I'd get a bigger one and reduce the root ball by about 40%. Keep shaded for 1- 2 weeks.
 

BrianBay9

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If water is still draining through quickly I'd wait to repot until next spring. You could still work on the top.
 

August44

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If water is still draining through quickly I'd wait to repot until next spring. You could still work on the top.
It's draining ok yet. I'm not sure we have had spring here yet. We have yet to have temps above 75 F. I have not seen any growth on this tree yet, but maybe I can not recognize new growth on Boxwood
 

August44

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I also have this mica pot that is 13" in diameter and 3.5" high (inside measurements) that I can use.
 

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coachspinks

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It's draining ok yet. I'm not sure we have had spring here yet. We have yet to have temps above 75 F. I have not seen any growth on this tree yet, but maybe I can not recognize new growth on Boxwood
No spring yet? Why are you living there?? Just kidding, but we have already had a couple of weeks worth of 90 degree days here. I am not familiar with your climate at all, if you indeed have not had spring yet or are in the midst of spring, I think you can repot but I don't know if I would take off enough for that pot.

There are certain climates that are a lot less forgiving than others. Maybe yours is one of them. Hopefully someone with experience in the Pacific NW can give you specifics.
 

August44

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No spring yet? Why are you living there?? Just kidding, but we have already had a couple of weeks worth of 90 degree days here. I am not familiar with your climate at all, if you indeed have not had spring yet or are in the midst of spring, I think you can repot but I don't know if I would take off enough for that pot.

There are certain climates that are a lot less forgiving than others. Maybe yours is one of them. Hopefully someone with experience in the Pacific NW can give you specifics.
I live in NE Oregon, zone 5-6 with very low humidity. That is much different that the West side of Oregon (Pacific NW) which is much warmer and more humidity and rain, and zone 7-9 for the most part I think.

This tree has been outdoors and not protected for 3 years.
 

Kullas

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If its still spring there i believe you could remove from the pot, cut half off chopstick out the old soil and be good in a 3 ½ inch pot. It will sulk for a bit. My boxwood has light green new growth.
 

sorce

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It looks to have flowered, but when?

Are the flower buds dry and falling off or making green fruits?
20220528_203138.jpg

I have one with hardly any living trunk left that flowered then went on growing. It only kept a few fruits.

That pictured one is a bit more healthy and kept a few more fruits.

If that trunk is compromised under that moss, I don't think it'll survive a repot.
I'd want to clean that up and see growth before repotting.

It seems to have burnt all it's energy on flowers.

Where is the rest of the collection leafed to in comparison?

Sorce
 

August44

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It looks to have flowered, but when?

Are the flower buds dry and falling off or making green fruits?
View attachment 439124

I have one with hardly any living trunk left that flowered then went on growing. It only kept a few fruits.

That pictured one is a bit more healthy and kept a few more fruits.

If that trunk is compromised under that moss, I don't think it'll survive a repot.
I'd want to clean that up and see growth before repotting.

It seems to have burnt all it's energy on flowers.

Where is the rest of the collection leafed to in comparison?

Sorce
Spruce just out of bud stage, hornbeam leafing out and almost done, pines have tight candles that are still growing, Hemlock a little past bud stage, and Beech almost leafed out. Here are pictures of the foliage. I have never had a boxwood to work with so have no clue about fruit being formed. I also have not noticed any lighter green coloring that would represent new growth. Those tan clusters (flowers or whatever) are all over the tree inside and out. Look at photos and tell me what you see.
 

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You can go at (healthy) boxwood roots pretty hard and they will respond well. I usually remove the flower pods, just because... They're tough trees.
 

sorce

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You can see better it has some life left to it in these!

Seems a little behind far as my spruce and pine, but your regular pattern could be quite different from mine.

Any notes or photos of years passed to compare it's timing to this year?

I never had a problem slicing most of the rootball off in mid summer, when you know it's healthy, so I'd wait.

Seems you could saw straight through a couple inches down and be ok, so long as you fluff that less used dirt layer up top so new roots can grow in it.

Besides the mossy trunk, it looks like it could be fine in that pot for a while.

Sorce
 
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August, it seems like a low stakes tree. I would take the saw and the lower part of the root mass off. Leaving just 3-4 inches of the top to tease out as you pot it.
Take this with a grain of salt… my success with boxwoods is admittedly spotty.
…yeah, I’m waiting for the weather to get less moody too!
 

August44

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August, it seems like a low stakes tree. I would take the saw and the lower part of the root mass off. Leaving just 3-4 inches of the top to tease out as you pot it.
Take this with a grain of salt… my success with boxwoods is admittedly spotty.
…yeah, I’m waiting for the weather to get less moody too!
Hey Paul. Low stakes means not to worry to much if you kill it right? I trimmed it on top yesterday. It's one of those "YIKES!" trim jobs that leaves 27 leaves and 5 trunks. Probably get yelled at if I show it on here. We will see...

Been raining here and cold for two days. I haven't even been out yet this year to collect. I know you guys are out and collecting monsters I'll bet.
 
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