Keep double trunk or cut one?

[Jluke33]

I’m not even sure if this dwarf crepe myrtle is going to make it! BUT if it does, would you eventually get rid of one of these trunks? I feel the left one has too little movement following all the way to the left, and the middle branch on the left feels like too uniform of an s curve. But I’m also not sure I like the right side by itself even tho it has better taper. I suppose much depends on if and where it decides to bud.

it’s technically a Lagerstroemia 'PIILAG-I’ or diamond dazzle crepe myrtle

 

[62veedub]

Do you have pics of the other sides?

 

[HENDO]

I would definitely eliminate the left side, as you say it lacks movement and it is also very heavy.

I'm no expert by any means but the right side seems to have more potential overall, however is also pushing out very straight, vertically. Would be nice to get rid of that stub pushing sideways and shorten the vertical section.

Nice nebari! Looks like a fun project and will be cool once it starts popping some shoots!

 

[Potawatomi13]

Why not wire and bend? Clip and grow is not mandatory. Tree is young and small change will happen in time to reduce current concerns to minuscule insignificance.
Currently this plant seems 2 dimensional with more branching needed much more than any removal.

 

[leatherback]

hm.. orrrr....

 

[bwaynef]

I wouldn't have used yellow, but other than that, I agree with our resident seaturtle.

 

[leatherback]

I wouldn't have used yellow, but other than that, I agree with our resident seaturtle.

What is wrong with yellow?
If all you have is a yellow marker, you tent to use your problem as collage notebooks

 

[RJG2]

What is wrong with yellow?
If all you have is a yellow marker, you tent to use your problem as collage notebooks

My eyes are bleeding, but your virt is the first thing I saw too.

+1

 

[Ryceman3]

With the “double“ trunk starting that far from the nebari you really don’t have the option of a classic twin trunk design. Removing one of them becomes even more appealing when you consider both are pretty similar in size and heading in opposing directions.
After saying all that, I’ll cut to the chase...
what @leatherback said...
Why?
That line accentuates movement, increases taper and provides a solid base to build from going forward... and apart from all that, turtles are always right.

 

[leatherback]

turtles are always right

True story. NEVER met a lefthanded turtle!

 

[leatherback]

resident seaturtle.

Please Share your Photos

How high's the water, Mama? Redwinged Blackbirds stay near water and nest in/on reeds. They will recede along with the floods.

www.bonsainut.com

 

[ABCarve]

True story. NEVER met a lefthanded turtle!

You know about turtles??? You have to stick your neck out to make any progress.

 

[leatherback]

You know about turtles??? You have to stick your neck out to make any progress.

a little. See the link just above.

Problem with sticking out a neck, you get awfully close to the chopping board.
Ask any trident maple in the hands of a bonsai grower.

 

[ABCarve]

a little. See the link just above.

Problem with sticking out a neck, you get awfully close to the chopping board.
Ask any trident maple in the hands of a bonsai grower.

Yes

 

[sorce]

Sorce

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Just here to say that isn't two trunks, it's just an offshoot of the main trunk. If it were emerging from the base of the tree, then it would be two trunks.

I forget who yelled at me for making that mistake years ago, either rockm or jkl...

 

[Jluke33]

Just an update from october to june! I was really worried i killed this thing with the massive reduction i did in February. JUST started to bud out a few weeks ago. Will probably perform recommended cuts on this thread next winter. Now i need some moss that grows better in full carolina sun!