Hawthorn development

[BobbyLane]

In apr 2017 i put this tall hawthorn in a grow bed (it's still there) the root flare isnt bad.
IMG_4110 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

this was a root cutting i took from the tree, just shoved it in the ground, two thick roots entangled together

apr 2017
Root cutting from tree. Both in ground by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

i wasnt sure it would bud out, but it did
2017-04-17_06-01-18 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

jan 2018

developing into a twin trunk, i cut off that root overlapping the big one
20180125_152840 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
20180125_152702 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr
20180125_152312 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

after two years in the ground without any trimming, last week i had to trim it back, it was so vigorous and shading everything thing out. i didnt take a pic, but it had become a large bush

took these pics today,
the trunks are thickening up, the gap between the trunks from first pics isnt so visible. i think they should fuse and become one stump in a few years
20190620_173848 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

its just beginning to back bud after it was literally sheared back with secateurs


i think it could be developed as a clump now, or a stump, will leave it to run riot again, plan is to let the leader in the middle grow taller and thicker than the the rest, the cut back gives me a chance to get movement and taper in all the trunks/branches
20190620_151242 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

will eventually be a lot bigger than this, but one can visualise
20190620_151242 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

topped up the soil around the roots after these pics

 

[BobbyLane]

responding well will allow free growth now for another year or two
many beginners seem scared to cut their trees back, this is how a healthy tree responds to a hard prune

 

[BobbyLane]

had a look at this one, its got potentiol now, needs a tidy up as wont need all the clustering shoots.nice movement, some taper, basis for a balanced branch structure.

 

[BobbyLane]

one option is to chop halfway down and use the trunk section going right

 

[TomB]

Is that a current picture? If so I'm surprised you've got leaves on it already. Mine are budding out but not that far gone.

 

[BobbyLane]

Is that a current picture? If so I'm surprised you've got leaves on it already. Mine are budding out but not that far gone.

Hey Tom, i know eh...suprised me too when i checked today.
this is another one beside it earlier,

my j maples look similar

 

[BobbyLane]

The tree in the first post.
i dug it up earlier, its in a training pot for now.
after tidying it up and removing a thick branch from the main trunk, i got a little wire on to position everything to go up and out.
the tree has nice natural movement.subtle taper.good basic branch structure and placement. a good nebari..
a tall elegant hawthorn, currently stands at 24in
its a good start...

 

[BobbyLane]

Here's an update on the root cutting planted in 2017

Then


Now


Pretty sure the trunks have fused slightly, its more of a stump now anyway. Should i keep it, future plan would be to cut it back much harder in the active season and regrow a wide spreading dome with some low cascading branches. gradually improve the root base.
Gnarly, quirky...the base has barked up nicely in the short time.

 

[BobbyLane]

Did a virtual


I think Smithys Hawthorn is a great guide for this material
in the growing season the branches need to be cut back by half

 

[MrWunderful]

If anything it will make a great little broom, multi trunk or not. Love it!

 

[BobbyLane]

If anything it will make a great little broom, multi trunk or not. Love it!

its currently 8.5in above pot rim, so proportions are great for a powerful shohin broom. cut back by half and begin building branch taper and ramification.

Thats your tree in the avator?

 

[MrWunderful]

its currently 8.5in above pot rim, so proportions are great for a powerful shohin broom. cut back by half and begin building branch taper and ramification.

Thats your tree in the avator?

No I wish. My current goal is building high quality informal and formal Zelkova brooms through ground growing, so its my inspiration.
And I agree with the start building taper and ramification.