It’s time! Potting my Dawn Redwood advice.

[Sean Walker]

I’ve had this in the ground for 3 1/2 years and it’s the size I’d like it. I was wanting to put it in a 20 x 14 x 6” deep interior dimension oval pot. Since I’m removing it from the ground, should I do some root work, put it in a larger pot than next year or in a couple years do even more work and go to the size I think I’d like? This will be my first time doing major root work and potting of a tree.

 

[Sean Walker]

Here are a couple pics of when I planted it and it’s size now

 

[andrewiles]

Since this has been in the ground for a few years, presumably with no root work, you likely have several years of work to do on the roots. If this were my tree I would dig it up, remove all roots facing down and non-laterally from the lowest plane of the root base, put in on a board, and stick it in an Anderson deep propagation flat, or similar. At the same time I'd cut back the lateral branches to a few buds. I'd then keep it out of freezing conditions and out of drying winds or afternoon sun until you see decent extensions on new growth. Don't let it dry out. Luckly, DRs are tough and can take aggressive root work.

If you don't focus on the roots now you're going to have a much longer struggle to get a good nebari. Likewise, it's not as important to focus on the top right now, other than apex taper and maybe initial movement in a few lower branches. Most branches will get too thick if you keep them now. You'll probably have to replace them later to reduce their girth.

Here's an example:

2021. Cut off the tap root, arranged remaining lateral roots on a board. Notice how few roots there are. I probably removed 90% of the roots during this potting.


2022. Removing crossing roots and pruning larger ones. Removing roots originating too high on the trunk.


2023. Continuing to work on the roots. And pruning back the top.


2024: Probably time to go into a smaller pot, and start focusing on the top.

 

[Sean Walker]

Super !
Thank you for your advice and the pics !!
What size flat is that?

 

[andrewiles]

That's an Anderson deep propagation flat. 15 x 15 x 5 or so: https://stuewe.com/product/15-75-anderson-deep-propagation-flat/

 

[Shibui]

should I do some root work, put it in a larger pot than next year or in a couple years do even more work and go to the size I think I’d like?

Dawn redwood have all responded very well to root pruning here, including quite drastic root reduction. I'd say there's no need to go slow. You should be good to go right to where you want to be in one go.
As the trunk is where you want it it seems a waste to go into a flat or any other grow pot. I'd be going direct into the target size now.

 

[Sean Walker]

When doing major root work is it best to reduce the amount of limbs also? Am I wrong to think that less limbs would be helpful? I’ve looked for answers to that but apparently am not wording my search correctly

 

[Srt8madness]

When doing major root work is it best to reduce the amount of limbs also? Am I wrong to think that less limbs would be helpful? I’ve looked for answers to that but apparently am not wording my search correctly

I don't think it matters much, the tree will kill off the extra if you leave too many. You could always nip off the smaller ones you don't want. You could cut them all off and it would be fine too.

 

[Damart81]

Since this has been in the ground for a few years, presumably with no root work, you likely have several years of work to do on the roots. If this were my tree I would dig it up, remove all roots facing down and non-laterally from the lowest plane of the root base, put in on a board, and stick it in an Anderson deep propagation flat, or similar. At the same time I'd cut back the lateral branches to a few buds. I'd then keep it out of freezing conditions and out of drying winds or afternoon sun until you see decent extensions on new growth. Don't let it dry out. Luckly, DRs are tough and can take aggressive root work.

If you don't focus on the roots now you're going to have a much longer struggle to get a good nebari. Likewise, it's not as important to focus on the top right now, other than apex taper and maybe initial movement in a few lower branches. Most branches will get too thick if you keep them now. You'll probably have to replace them later to reduce their girth.

Here's an example:

2021. Cut off the tap root, arranged remaining lateral roots on a board. Notice how few roots there are. I probably removed 90% of the roots during this potting.
View attachment 531600

2022. Removing crossing roots and pruning larger ones. Removing roots originating too high on the trunk.
View attachment 531601 View attachment 531602

2023. Continuing to work on the roots. And pruning back the top.
View attachment 531603 View attachment 531604 View attachment 531605

2024: Probably time to go into a smaller pot, and start focusing on the top.
View attachment 531608 View attachment 531609

Amazing stuff, do you keep all your dawn redwoods in mostly potting soil for development once you have them in anderson flats?

 

[andrewiles]

Amazing stuff, do you keep all your dawn redwoods in mostly potting soil for development once you have them in anderson flats?

No, I try to keep them in soil that's easier for bare root cleaning. Often just pure pumice or even a perlite/coco coir mix. It doesn't seem to matter much as long as you can keep the soil moist. Usually if I have them in a fast drying mix like pumice I'll have them in shallow trays of water during the summer so they never dry out.