Cjr BC#1

[Cajunrider]

I decided to create this thread to record progress of this BC.
Earlier this year I chopped it right at the wired side branch. It has since grown so fast there is practically no taper. Since the side branch is still very pliable. I am contemplating a late season chop at the same spot and promote that side branch. Your thoughts?

 

[Cajunrider]

On second thought, I will leave this tree alone until it reaches diameter at the base that I want.

 

[A. Gorilla]

It seems to lack that pronounced base flair, and probably wont get that anytime soon.

Next priority then, taper.

I agree, that right branch you wired down.

Nothing wrong with skinny. Just make features of interest becoming of a skinny tree.

 

[Cajunrider]

It seems to lack that pronounced base flair, and probably wont get that anytime soon.

Next priority then, taper.

I agree, that right branch you wired down.

Nothing wrong with skinny. Just make features of interest becoming of a skinny tree.

The base has a flare. I just cut short a big root to force other roots to grow and balance out. To encourage the cut big root to grow feeder roots, I cover it with mulch. That hides away the flare. I will remove the mulch in a few weeks once I see feeder roots on that cut big root.

That tree has a 2.5 inch trunk with a 4" base (hidden now). It just looks skinny because it is in a huge 55 gal drum cutoff pot. It will stay in that pot for 3 more years until I get that 4-5 inch trunk.

 

[A. Gorilla]

Why must you turn this forum into a den of lies?

 

[Cajunrider]

Why must you turn this forum into a den of lies?

I was asking about the top and paid no attention to the bottom until you asked the question. Yep, I was masking the truth about that base. Unknowingly of course, if you look you can see that ring of new mulch in the pictures.

 

[A. Gorilla]

I'm just jealous of southern deciduous stuff.

 

[just.wing.it]

I've been able to develop some decent basal flare on my BC over just a few years with hard root pruning every year.

 

[A. Gorilla]

I've been able to develop some decent basal flare on my BC over just a few years with hard root pruning every year.

More lies. Why?

 

[Cajunrider]

More lies. Why?

Because he could just wing it and makes it happen.

 

[A. Gorilla]

Makes sense.

 

[just.wing.it]

More lies. Why?

2018, no taper, no fluted look, no flare at all, just a knot of big ugly roots underneath and a few too high ones too.


2021....looks better right?....yep.

 

[A. Gorilla]

Photoshop

 

[Cajunrider]

Photoshop

Now look who's lying.
Stripped off everything, that tree looks so nekkid! No leaves, no roots, just a little bit of thong wire.

 

[Cajunrider]

I figured out how to groom that branch to be the trunk later while keeping the current top for fast growth. I just had to trim a few side branches to give that branch good sunlight.

 

[Cajunrider]

It was chopped yesterday. This tree will be put in a forest. I just don’t see it as a single tree.

 

[Cajunrider]

I decided to take the tree out of the pot to take a look before using it in a forest. It turned out that some pruning both up top and down low changed the out look quite a bit.

 

[Cajunrider]

I decided to take the tree out of the pot to take a look before using it in a forest. It turned out that some pruning both up top and down low changed the out look quite a bit.
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@just.wing.it I did exactly what you did.

 

[Apex37]

Hey @Cajunrider any reason you didn't go with a straight chop? I was under the impression these guys are so apically dominant that they do better with straight cuts to avoid reverse taper with the new leader.

 

[Cajunrider]

Hey @Cajunrider any reason you didn't go with a straight chop? I was under the impression these guys are so apically dominant that they do better with straight cuts to avoid reverse taper with the new leader.

I did a straight across cut. It grew a new leader. When I chopped the leader short, I cut the slant.