Old Barberry
- Thread starter catfish chapstick
- Start date
davetree
Omono
Nice barberry, I might be tempted to cut the right side trunk off the tree.
catfish chapstick
Chumono
it had crossed my mind
Victrinia Ensor
Omono
I'd like to echo that sentiment. That beautiful base is completely distracted from by the redundent trunk. I'd call it a daughter trunk, but it doesn't really have that feel either since it's only real difference is the height, not the overall trunk proportions. As I recall with barberry, trying to get some kind of lean would be problematic at best... so removing it would be a favorable option.... but you are definitely correct.... it seems VERY happy. 
Redwing
Yamadori
Alternative possibility: cut the left-side trunk very short but keep foliage at the apex of its taper as a subsidiary branch. Let the right size trunk dominate, bring it down over the left side as far as possible, perhaps augmented by a slight counterclockwise rotation in planting angle.
Not sure you can pull it off, but if you can it's a lot more interesting a form than just another well-tapering barberry.
-rw
Not sure you can pull it off, but if you can it's a lot more interesting a form than just another well-tapering barberry.
-rw
davetree
Omono
To me the left trunk looks to be the better one, I would cut the right trunk, stand the tree upright, and shorten it a bit as well.
noissee
Mame
I would definitely try to design it with both trunks in mind. You can cut that right trunk off whenever you want. Give it a chance first.
catfish chapstick
Chumono
thanks for all the input. i can tilt it a little but the base is so wide... i'm not sure how beautiful i think the base is, really its just enormous, to the point that i think removing one of the trunks will cause the giant base to dwarf what otherwise is a decent sized trunk. idk maybe it wouldn't. i'm very interested in what everyone has to say. i'm sure i could chop the whole thing in half and make two trees out of it but i'd probably not be happy with its result.
the two trunks sort of move together so i'd like to at least explore the idea of keeping them both.
here's a photo i just took at another angle.
the two trunks sort of move together so i'd like to at least explore the idea of keeping them both.
here's a photo i just took at another angle.
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Victrinia Ensor
Omono
Now you let the cat out of the bag.... That view is radically different (and better) than the previous photo... While the parallel nature is still freakishly even, at least there's some energy inside of it that makes it visually interesting. The other view is very static.What does it do from that side if you tip it towards the viewer?
catfish chapstick
Chumono
What does it do from that side if you tip it towards the viewer?
here are some shots of it tilted
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catfish chapstick
Chumono
Chris Johnston
Omono
I have to say I love the last photo in post 10, and the second photo in post 11. Very very nice material.
davetree
Omono
I like pic 172 if you were to remove the apex that goes right, then both trunks move in a similar direction. Its a very nice barberry, but maybe a bit difficult to get at just the right angle.
catfish chapstick
Chumono
if i tilt it too much i'll lose one whole side of the roots when they are burried. is that a worthy sacrafice?
HotAction
Chumono
catfish chapstick
Chumono
yes i like that. the options are seemingly endless since the plant throws out tons of branches.
catfish chapstick
Chumono
davetree
Omono
I like this tree a lot. If you train the young branches early it is much easier than if you wait, just my two cents.
Mojosan
Mame
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