Oak trunk chop question

[Joe_B]

Hello,

I’ve had this swamp oak for about 5 years and it only grows at the top. If I chop the trunk, about 10” up, will new shoots appear? Or, do I need to chop above a shoot at the top and work my way down over the years?

Joe

 

[John P.]

Every oak I’ve chopped has backbudded nicely.

But I have no swamp oaks.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

It must have dormant buds down there so..

 

[Joe_B]

Awesome. Chop chop it is. So happy, it now has potential.

 

[Forrestford]

Hello,

I’ve had this swamp oak for about 5 years and it only grows at the top. If I chop the trunk, about 10” up, will new shoots appear? Or, do I need to chop above a shoot at the top and work my way down over the years?

Joe

Chop low

 

[rollwithak]

Awesome. Chop chop it is. So happy, it now has potential.

Chop lower than the line you drew….. maybe?? Up to you! Your tree, your vision! I just think there’s not a ton of interesting features where you marked, just a long straight trunk! Let us know what you do! Good luck

 

[Joe_B]

Chop lower than the line you drew….. maybe?? Up to you! Your tree, your vision! I just think there’s not a ton of interesting features where you marked, just a long straight trunk! Let us know what you do! Good luck

Thanks! Yes, that was just a generic line, I’ll find the right place!

 

[Joe_B]

Happy to report that some new shoots did start growing. I had an equally long shoot on the left side but just popped right off when I tried to wire it. I think I’ll have to wait for the right side one to get woody near the trunk before I wire it and remove the rest of the chop.