drew33998

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Here is Judy's piglet less refined, dirty south cousin. 3 years in the making. Year one I chopped the tree down while it was still in the ground. Year two I chopped it again from the new leaders it had grown and did some basic trunk selections leaving about 5 or so. Year three I dug up all around the base excavating the large roots but leaving the ends in the ground. I also cut the about a 5 inch section from the tap root. I then ringed the large roots close to the base and packed spaghnum moss around the roots. I then wrapped zip lock bags around the roots and buried it all back. This pre spring I gently dug the tree from the ground, so I didn't break any of the new roots.
 

Mellow Mullet

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Here is Judy's piglet less refined, dirty south cousin. 3 years in the making. Year one I chopped the tree down while it was still in the ground. Year two I chopped it again from the new leaders it had grown and did some basic trunk selections leaving about 5 or so. Year three I dug up all around the base excavating the large roots but leaving the ends in the ground. I also cut the about a 5 inch section from the tap root. I then ringed the large roots close to the base and packed spaghnum moss around the roots. I then wrapped zip lock bags around the roots and buried it all back. This pre spring I gently dug the tree from the ground, so I didn't break any of the new roots.

Picture?
 

drew33998

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@markyscott would you recommend me cutting the top from that really strong shoot on the right or let it grow for the rest of the season?
 

drew33998

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Drew, how big around was it when you started? That is really looking nice.
The trunk is the same size. It was a 30 foot tree or so when i chopped it. As far as the diameter i have no idea I haven't measured.
 

0soyoung

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What would you do?
  1. Remove any branches that I clearly don't want, such as this one I circled (maybe leave a stub till later) Sketch.png
  2. A little wiring to aim branches on a better trajectory (if it isn't good already) IF it isn't already too lignified.
  3. Cut back all branches to about half or one-third their present length and then in spring shorten more to get low buds
  4. Then let it run to thicken
Rinse&repeat for the next 3 years or so, then maybe start working on ramification which I would do by hedge pruning two or three times a growing season, and cleaning out any unsightly stuff after leaf fall each year. Not very exciting, but I need to keep in mind my chosen front because I want heavier branches in front and thinner ones in back for perspective in the design.
 
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