Collecting larch: How far to trim back

leatherback · Mar 28, 2018

Hi All,

I have the option to this weekend go and pull a larch larch (L Kaemferi, I think) from a garden. The thing is 7 feet diameter in all directions, and from the pictures it is dificult to tell how much inner life there is.

I would have to transport the think in the back of the car so would have to trim back to max. half the size, in all directions.

Typically, Larch does not backbud well. Is this also true when you do something as drastic as this? Or can I stop worrying about backbudding, just trim the thing back to a trunk with stumps (Keeping buds where possible of course) and just go full steam ahead? Looking at the larches on the bench in my garden timing is near perfect (repotted my larches a few days ago).

Any thoughts?

M. Frary · Mar 28, 2018

I cut them down to the bottom couple of branches when I collect them.
You'll be cutting roots too. If you leave a ton of foliage the roots that are left may not support a ton of foliage.

Cadillactaste · Mar 28, 2018

@mattspiniken ...you collect larch...any additional direction?

sdavis · Mar 28, 2018

leatherback said:
Hi All,

I have the option to this weekend go and pull a larch larch (L Kaemferi, I think) from a garden. The thing is 7 feet diameter in all directions, and from the pictures it is dificult to tell how much inner life there is.

I would have to transport the think in the back of the car so would have to trim back to max. half the size, in all directions.

Typically, Larch does not backbud well. Is this also true when you do something as drastic as this? Or can I stop worrying about backbudding, just trim the thing back to a trunk with stumps (Keeping buds where possible of course) and just go full steam ahead? Looking at the larches on the bench in my garden timing is near perfect (repotted my larches a few days ago).

Any thoughts?

My larches back-bud like crazy....

leatherback · Mar 28, 2018

My larches back-bud like crazy....
You are the first one I find that claims that. I do not have extensive backbudding. Is this for old mature plants? Or young saplings?

twisted trees · Mar 28, 2018

leatherback said:
Hi All,

I have the option to this weekend go and pull a larch larch (L Kaemferi, I think) from a garden. The thing is 7 feet diameter in all directions, and from the pictures it is dificult to tell how much inner life there is.

I would have to transport the think in the back of the car so would have to trim back to max. half the size, in all directions.

Typically, Larch does not backbud well. Is this also true when you do something as drastic as this? Or can I stop worrying about backbudding, just trim the thing back to a trunk with stumps (Keeping buds where possible of course) and just go full steam ahead? Looking at the larches on the bench in my garden timing is near perfect (repotted my larches a few days ago).

Any thoughts?

View attachment 183623

Larch do not create adventitious buds, that is buds from nowhere. The buds that exist are the ones that extend. Look closely at the interior buds and make sure they are alive. I would start by just cutting back about 2/3.

leatherback · Mar 28, 2018

twisted trees said:
I would start by just cutting back about 2/3.

I cannot transport that size

But yeah; I will have to fold & wrap it.

If indeed I do get to collect it. The owner is now asking me how much I will pay for the tree, where it first was "By easter the garden needs to be empty. Who want to have some of these plants". It is tipping over to not interesting by now. Drive 1 1/2 hrs. Trim it back to a tricky point. Spend 2 hours digging. And then pay? Hm.. Cheapskate I am indeed.

Cadillactaste · Mar 28, 2018

Pass...pay someone to dig out your landscape dude! What a jamoke...you are doing them a favor.

leatherback · Mar 28, 2018

Cadillactaste said:
Pass...pay someone to dig out your landscape dude! What a jamoke...you are doing them a favor.

That's what I told them.
As far as I can tell, they have no-one offering money. So I will sit it out and see whether they ask me to come. Maybe I should then ask for money

Tentakelaertje · Mar 28, 2018

1.5 hour in which direction? Might be able to give you a hand this weekend

mattspinniken · Mar 28, 2018

Probably not worth the drive unless you can find out if there are interior buds present. If there arent any on a 7ft wide tree, my guess is it would be a no go. Maybe the owner could take a few pics of the trunk and interior?

twisted trees · Mar 28, 2018

mattspiniken said:
Probably not worth the drive unless you can find out if there are interior buds present. If there arent any on a 7ft wide tree, my guess is it would be a no go. Maybe the owner could take a few pics of the trunk and interior?

Interior buds can be tricky. They can be present but dead. Sometimes buds are hidden under bark and appear to be adventitous.

sdavis · Mar 30, 2018

Please feel free to show these photos of my 20 year old Japanese Larch to folks who say "larch don't backbud."

sdavis · Mar 30, 2018

closeups

twisted trees · Mar 30, 2018

sdavis said:
closeupsView attachment 184131 View attachment 184132

Those are buds that already existed. Larch will activate latent buds but do not regularly produce adventitious buds.

twisted trees · Mar 31, 2018

sdavis said:
closeupsView attachment 184131 View attachment 184132

Also, those dense groupings of buds appear to come from pollarding, a poor trimming technique that causes dense bud clusters at the tips of branches.

Paulpash · Mar 31, 2018

I'd pass tbh. It's a long way to go to pay for the privilege of breaking your back for a few hours on the off chance it might survive & have viable buds / good trunk line.

Tentakelaertje · Mar 31, 2018

I'd totally go for it Jelle!

AlainK · Mar 31, 2018

I'd say 5€ / $6, and refuse to take it for more than 10€ / $12 : not that it's not worth more, it is actually, but it's either they bin it, or find someone paying 50€, or even 100€ for it.

Or they dig it out themselves, put it in a suitable container with a suitable mix, you pay the high price for it, but they'll refund you if it dies in 12-months' time: when money is involved, people have to be "professional", if not honest. Or the other way round.

Ruben Bouwmeester · Mar 31, 2018

How far away is the first branch? above your head? I won't bet money on it if there are sleeping budd's that will pop out.
Is it a straight pole?

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