Large Trunk Chops

Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
The two stumps below are Honey Locust, a tree that grows quickly, back buds extremly well on to old wood, even if no foliage is remaining. Compound leaves, but very fine, which turn a beautiful gold in the fall. This is the same species I have used to represent palm trees before.

Although the trunks on these trees are quite large, I chopped them this year down to about 14 - 16 inches, yeasterday I went back and noticed that they are sprouting out all over the place and I need to remove them. I will update this thread with new photos within the next week.

More of an experiment, but who knows?



Will
 

Attachments

  • honey_locus_stump_001_500.jpg
    honey_locus_stump_001_500.jpg
    76.8 KB · Views: 314
  • honey_locus_stump_002_500.jpg
    honey_locus_stump_002_500.jpg
    73.6 KB · Views: 227
  • honey_locus_stump_top_500.jpg
    honey_locus_stump_top_500.jpg
    29.9 KB · Views: 275
Last edited:

Ashbarns

Mame
Messages
131
Reaction score
3
Location
Victoria Australia
Looking at the rings they grow exceptionally fast too. Would love to see the foliage when it is out.

Ash :D
 
Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
They do indeed Ash. They are used as street trees because they are very tolerant of pollution, they grow very quickly, the leaves are so fine that they don't require cleanup in the fall, and they are resistant to many diseases and pests....now if they can be made into bonsai....
 

Tachigi

Omono
Messages
1,198
Reaction score
67
Location
PA.
USDA Zone
6b
Quite a challenge Will. I tried containerizing some Black Locus years a go along with a couple of other people in our group. With Locus having compound leaves, thorns and a propensity to drop branches it can be quite maddening. I wish you all the luck in the world with this experiment. While having some draw backs it does have some great attributes, good natural movement and quick development of old gnarly bark. Hope you can pull it off.
 

irene_b

Omono
Messages
1,415
Reaction score
5
Looks pretty dang straight.....
But it should be a nice learning tree as far as experiments go.
Post some pics of the leaves.
Mom
 
Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
Quite a challenge Will. I tried containerizing some Black Locus years a go along with a couple of other people in our group. With Locus having compound leaves, thorns and a propensity to drop branches it can be quite maddening. I wish you all the luck in the world with this experiment. While having some draw backs it does have some great attributes, good natural movement and quick development of old gnarly bark. Hope you can pull it off.

I have good luck with smaller ones in pots and have had some pot bound for two years so far, these stumps will no doubt be much different. This is a thornless cultivar, so I won't have to worry about that, the branch die back hasn't happened with this species yet, the smaller ones, we'll see on the bigger ones.

It should be fun, even if it fails, besides, the trees are doomed anyhow, the worst I can do is prolong it. ;)



WIll
 
Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
Looks pretty dang straight.....
But it should be a nice learning tree as far as experiments go.
Post some pics of the leaves.
Mom

They are pretty dang straight...any suggestions on wiring?

Seriously, they leave one option, which I considered when chopping them, broom style. The natural form here for this species is broom, so I'll give it a go.


I'll post pics of these when I dig them and also of some leaves.....



Will
 
Messages
1,773
Reaction score
15
Location
Ottawa, KS
USDA Zone
6
Honey locust and black locust both have signifcant thorns (which can be cut off). I have tried cultivating honey locust in the ground and found that pruning scars swell so fast and so large that I gave up trying to mess with them. I am certain the process would be slowed in a pot, however.
 
Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
Chris,

As I stated above, this cultivar is a thornless one, as attested to by the truck load of branches I hauled away after chopping. This is the same cultivar I used to make the palm tree forest and the single palm tree I showed on this forum, none of those trees swelled at the pruning areas, although this could happen with an older tree, if so...well then the swelling will have to be incorporated into the design I guess.

I also have about a dozen smaller trees in the ground for future palm look-a-likes, no swelling noticed yet and I chop these fast growers back yearly. Maybe we are dealing with different cultivars after all? Or maybe we prune differently?

Anyone here ever dealt with older Honey Locust?




Will
 
Last edited:
Messages
1,773
Reaction score
15
Location
Ottawa, KS
USDA Zone
6
I doubt we prune differently, it may very well be another cultivar of Honey Locust.
 
Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
After some research, it seems I have Gleditsia triacanthos inermis, a seedless as well as a thornless variety. For those who haven't seen these trees, the foliage is small, light, almost fernlike. I have included some pics below.

A bit about this species can be seen here


honey-locust-tree_100_0016-f.jpg

hot-linked from kchayka.c-net.us


honey-locust-leaf_100_0014-f.jpg

hot-linked from kchayka.c-net.us


image5541.gif

hot-linked from http://www.eskimo.com
 
Last edited:

Ashbarns

Mame
Messages
131
Reaction score
3
Location
Victoria Australia
This seems to be the 'tree with the lot' according to the write up. Pity yours don't have the beans but then you don't get the bonus thorns either. The flowers look spectacular but I am not too thrilled with the leaf system. However it may take on a different appearance as a broom or even weeping style. I read on another googly thing that the timber can be used for woodworking, lathe turning. Personally I would utilise them as ornamentals for the garden or in large tubs. But this is just an experiment and so a learning experience which will be interesting for us all here.

Ash
 

Tachigi

Omono
Messages
1,198
Reaction score
67
Location
PA.
USDA Zone
6b
I have tried cultivating honey locust in the ground and found that pruning scars swell so fast and so large that I gave up trying to mess with them.

Chris, if you ever do decide to mess with locust or anything else that swells significantly after pruning, such as birch. Here is a technique that I have used with great success to minimize that problem. Prune those branches in late fall or winter. It will significantly reduce swelling on those cuts. Obviously you'll want to use cut paste during those dormant times while the tree is basically defenseless.
 
Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
Making sure the cut is concaved helps also by giving the new tissue room to expand in instead of out. After using concave cutters or knob cutters in some cases, I use a dremel to hollow out the wound a bit more, assuring decent healing.


Will
 
Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
Irene,

Here is the others I talked about, to give you a better idea of the foliage size.

The first is a little palm forest I am in the process of working on. Made from young trees and only 6" tall from soil to highest tree, you can see the fine structure of the foliage.

The second is of a second tree, again attempting to bring to mind a palm tree, the height of this on is a mere five inches.

One can see that on these anyhow, there is no swelling from pruning and due to the fast growth of this species, these need constant pruning. I imagine that such fine foliage, even compound, may very well work on a broom styling bonsai.


Will
 

Attachments

  • group honey locust 2006 show 000 600.jpg
    group honey locust 2006 show 000 600.jpg
    33.1 KB · Views: 277
  • palm_600.jpg
    palm_600.jpg
    36.7 KB · Views: 291
Last edited:

robert1955

Sapling
Messages
47
Reaction score
1
Location
North San Diego County
USDA Zone
9
Will,
Living out here in "LaLa land", land of Palm Trees, you did very well on your little palm forest. I would love to see it in person.

Peace
Bob
 
Messages
2,774
Reaction score
31
Location
Michigan, USA
USDA Zone
5
Thanks Bob,

It is still in development, but it has been fun. It is refreshing to go outside of the box and do things just because you have an idea.

I have replaced the chicken grit (sand) with finer while sand given to me by Nick Keren when he seen this little forest. The trees are all under 5 inches in height and require monthly pruning. Fortunately, this species back buds extremely well, even if taken off below the foliage.

I think next spring this will finally present the image I had in mind for it.


Will
 

irene_b

Omono
Messages
1,415
Reaction score
5
Irene,

Here is the others I talked about, to give you a better idea of the foliage size.

The first is a little palm forest I am in the process of working on. Made from young trees and only 6" tall from soil to highest tree, you can see the fine structure of the foliage.

The second is of a second tree, again attempting to bring to mind a palm tree, the height of this on is a mere five inches.

One can see that on these anyhow, there is no swelling from pruning and due to the fast growth of this species, these need constant pruning. I imagine that such fine foliage, even compound, may very well work on a broom styling bonsai.


Will










I do think they represent the image you went for....
And I love to see people experimenting...
Staying in the confines of the "Box" IMHO just limits themself in exploring all the creative possibilites.
Mom
 

TheSteve

Chumono
Messages
503
Reaction score
15
Location
Sw Washington
USDA Zone
8b
I know this thread is ancient but i am wondering how the stumps are coming along. I had a honey locust once but it expired at the same time as my cat ownership and haven't gotten around to getting another. The weeping style works well with them and I know what you mean about the fast growth.
 
Last edited:
Top Bottom