Ideas for this Pyracantha

[ZombieNick]

I have been growing out this Pyracantha for a couple years now. I think its time I did something with it because the roots are getting thick and the soil in the pot isn't draining well. Here are some pictures for context:



There is a thick root breeching the surface and two more that have escaped the pot through the drainage holes. It splits into two trunks about halfway up the tree at the previous chop site, where it has developed quite a bit of reverse taper.

I am not sure what direction to go with this one. Air layer? Chop down again? Pull it out of the ground, trim the large roots, and replant? Just let it grow? If this were your tree, what would you do?

 

[BrianBay9]

Nice thick trunk for a pyracantha, but as usual with these they don't easily develop taper. I think I would air layer at the reverse taper. Cant really tell what's above that but it looks like you have lots of options. Then I'd chop the trunk down to that first wiggly little branch on the right and use that for a new leader. Yes, work the roots hard for that lower tree. They can take it.

 

[ZombieNick]

Nice thick trunk for a pyracantha, but as usual with these they don't easily develop taper. I think I would air layer at the reverse taper. Cant really tell what's above that but it looks like you have lots of options. Then I'd chop the trunk down to that first wiggly little branch on the right and use that for a new leader. Yes, work the roots hard for that lower tree. They can take it.

Thanks for the input! I think that is probably the best option. Should I work the roots now, and start the air layer during the hot months, or should I prioritize the air layer before working the roots? How concerned should I be with the poor soil in the pot, knowing that the roots have escaped into the ground? Here are some slightly better pictures of the air layer target - you are right that there is plenty of branches, but unfortunately it has some pretty ugly chops that don't seem to be healing over well.

 

[Cajunrider]

Thanks for the input! I think that is probably the best option. Should I work the roots now, and start the air layer during the hot months, or should I prioritize the air layer before working the roots? How concerned should I be with the poor soil in the pot, knowing that the roots have escaped into the ground? Here are some slightly better pictures of the air layer target - you are right that there is plenty of branches, but unfortunately it has some pretty ugly chops that don't seem to be healing over well.

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Now is the best time to get your air layer started.

 

[Soup Dragon]

... but unfortunately it has some pretty ugly chops that don't seem to be healing over well.

These don't heal very well at all, unfortunately. The best that you can hope for is that the wounds become less noticeable as the trunk thickens, but they probably will never close over completely.

 

[BobbyLane]

Heres one I had from nursery stock, I think if people can learn to embrace wounds, maybe see how they can be incorporated into a trees design, you might enjoy your trees more. This is one season.


also see the soil its in, but it had one of the best root spreads ive seen on pyracantha.
I sold this tree to @ConorDash

 

[ZombieNick]

Now is the best time to get your air layer started.

I am not as concerned with the timing of the air layer as I am the root work. If I do the air layer now, I think I'll have to wait to work the roots until next spring. I am not really in a rush to get this guy into a pot, but I do think the soil it is in is becoming an issue - it has stayed very damp this winter and I fear I am risking root rot. What I guess I am unclear on is, if my root rot concern is mitigated by the fact that quite a bit of roots have escaped the pot and are growing in the ground.

These don't heal very well at all, unfortunately. The best that you can hope for is that the wounds become less noticeable as the trunk thickens, but they probably will never close over completely.

Heres one I had from nursery stock, I think if people can learn to embrace wounds, maybe see how they can be incorporated into a trees design, you might enjoy your trees more. This is one season.

That is what I was afraid of. If I do end up chopping it - any pointers besides just sealing it?

 

[BobbyLane]

The pics are taken from very poor angles, cant see the base or nebari.
have a look at some progression threads and see how we photograph trees, how we cut down nursery containers etc n take it from there.

 

[ZombieNick]

The pics are taken from very poor angles, cant see the base or nebari.
have a look at some progression threads and see how we photograph trees, how we cut down nursery containers etc n take it from there.

Totally get it, and it's not for lack of trying. The tree isn't in the most accessible spot and it's so muddy I am having trouble exposing the nebari as is. I'll need to dig it out of the ground and get it out of the pot to see anything meaningful - I suppose I should have started there. This is the best I have for now, still doesn't show much. I will update with better photos this weekend, as I have decided to at least dig it out for now.

 

[BrianBay9]

I would do the air layer first, this spring - now. Leave the roots alone for the 4 - 6 weeks that air layer will take. Pyracantha will air layer fast. You'll still have time to do root work on the bottom. You could probably do the root work all summer on these guys. They really want to live. And while you're at it you might as well shove any cut sections into pots. They'll probably root too.