Yesterday the wife wanted to do some landscaping. I was able to save a boxwood that was along our sidewalk. I was wondering how much of the top I needed cut off to compensate for the roots. I didn’t take off a whole lot of roots. Just enough to fit in the nursery pot. I also didn’t bare root and left the soil that came out of the ground with it. As this is my first collected tree any and all suggestions would be helpful.
Collected Boxwood
- Thread starter TheWolski
- Start date
The boxwood is about 2’x2’ and about 2-1/2 to 3’’ at the base. I also have this grow box (16’’x16’’x5-1/2’’) I built awhile back I thought about putting it in to reduce the root ball. Figured it be better than the nursery pot. Any suggestions?
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Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
If it were mine I would take off about the top quarter to third. It appears to be a multi-trunk. Are you sure they are connected to a main trunk below the soil line? If not, it may be better to just use it somewhere else in the landscape.
Honestly I haven’t gotten to look at that close yet. We just dug it out last night. There is still a lot of the native soil on it yet. Would it be best to bare root the tree so I could have a better idea of what I am working with below the soil line?
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
If it hasn't come out of dormancy yet then I would bare root it.
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
Well, it depends on how you want to play your cards. Realistically, it will probably still be okay to bare root it. But, if you want to play it safe then you better hold off.
My only concern at this point was knowing how much foliage to take off to compensate for the roots. I know it’s kind of a guessing game but I am really new to bonsai so just trying to get some pointer/tips for it. Thanks for all of your input by the way.
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
My best advice is once you have completed the work resist the temptation to prune until next year. Good luck.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
That Box is too nice for that Box IMO...
Which one?
Your grow box!
This tree doesn't deserve that box!
For me...this is about 15 years out from cutting it back and beginning a bonsai...and the chances of that outcome being nice is too slim to wait that long!
Hack the hell out of it and learn for the next one!
Sorce
Which one?
Your grow box!
This tree doesn't deserve that box!
For me...this is about 15 years out from cutting it back and beginning a bonsai...and the chances of that outcome being nice is too slim to wait that long!
Hack the hell out of it and learn for the next one!
Sorce
Would you suggest leaving the root ball in tact for this year or bare rooting it and hacking the hell out of it then?
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Hack fest!
Sorce
Sorce
As suggested.......
Hacked the hell out of it for sure.
It will live or it will die. And only time will tell. Either way. It was free and just a way for me to learn if it does die. Thanks for all the input anyway.
Hacked the hell out of it for sure.
It will live or it will die. And only time will tell. Either way. It was free and just a way for me to learn if it does die. Thanks for all the input anyway.
Attachments
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
I've never been a fan of hack the hell out of it so I hope it makes it.
JosephCooper
Shohin
Ohh, Boxwoods don't backbud super well. I suspect it will be OK, but I'm nervous...
Silentrunning
Chumono
Some trees are just too ornery to die. Good luck.
