Holy Smoke

[CWTurner]

....tree.

I picked this up several weeks ago as a discarded landscape plant. Pretty sure I got it within a couple hours of it's removal. Even came with the plant ID tag Cotinus Coggygria "Royal Purple"

It's a good 6" diameter (pot is 16"), and looks to be healthy. I will remove the two fat "arms" soon.

CW

 

[Spdyracer]

Don't know if you should cut the center trunk at such a sharp angle. Think it would be a better idea to cut it straight across. Just going off the black line you have on it and think that might be what your showing.

 

[CWTurner]

I did that edit on my phone without being able to see the buds.

I actually might cut the entire fat-center trunk (continue the cut line on the right trunk) and use the smaller one behind it as the leader.
CW

 

[Paradox]

I would keep the left trunk personally. It has nice movement. The middle and right trunks are straight and boring

 

[GroveKeeper]

Personally I wouldn't cut off any trunks. It's a weird looking trunk. Why not try to make a great looking weird tree instead of chopping in an effort to make it fill the usual parameters?

 

[armetisius]

Why not leave it alone and get its feet back under it?
Couple of years down the road is plenty soon enough
to work this tree. Think you will find the leaf scale is
going to dictate a lot but when you see the inflorescence
on this species you will understand you need some size
on this for the scale to come out pleasantly.
Just my take.

 

[sorce]

I definitely wouldn't cut em both at the same time....

Too many points for infuction.

Cut the left or right to scratch the itch!

Sorce

 

[Chad D]

Damn, I was hoping this was a post of Al in his worn out thong. Lol. .

 

[sorce]

Yeah....I was thinking pink thongs and Halos!

Sorce

 

[Gunstock]

I'd cut it just like this. Call me names if you want, but that's just my thought.

 

[ysrgrathe]

This cultivar has amazing leaves; I'm not sure how best to use them in bonsai. This shot is from a tree in my landscape.

 

[Paradox]

Here is mine

As Purchased


Last year


Its still alive, just hasnt finished leafing out this year

 

[petegreg]

Here we can find one perfect specimen:
http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t821-purple-smokebush
http://hans-van-meer.ofbonsai.org/2009/05/28/eds-purple-smokebush/

 

[CWTurner]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I will reconsider my cutting plans. But those side trunks are 3" wide and I can't leave those stubs pokingout like that forever.
Learned a new word today, armetisius. Inflorescence. I agree that this bush is best in a large landscape.

This cultivar has amazing leaves

That is beautiful. Think I'll let mine leaf out before deciding what's next. Plenty of other work to do.
CW

 

[Gunstock]

Two of those limbs look like good Jin or Shari practice if the live vein's are killed without killing the part you want.

 

[defra]

Nice any updates on this one ?
i have a pretty big one here too i am wondering How they heal wounds if you cut such big pieces Off anyone knows ?
of you like illegale post aan picture tomorow to dark now

 

[Tieball]

Any update on this tree?.....did it continue growth? Did you chop?
Root question: Were you able to drastically prune the roots and still keep tree growth?
Great start to what should be an excellent tree!