Premna Microphylla styling advice

[mike sommers]

I hard pruned this Premna last May. As you can see it's grown a lot since then even though it's been trimmed back dozens of times (they grow like crazy). I'm not sure what to do with it now that it's filled out. It looks uninspiring to me. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[JudyB]

Hi Mike, I don't know anything about that particular plant. But what I can suggest is that you find a new front. Turn it little by little, and even take photos. Look at each angle and see if there isn't something stylistically more pleasing.
I have a K.Hornbeam twin trunk, that turning made all the difference. I would also suggest allowing one trunk to run free while keeping the other in check, so that one becomes more dominant than the other. Normally this would be the tree towards the front of the tree, once it's turned.
Just my thoughts.
Btw, nice potential in this tree.

 

[Martin Sweeney]

Mike,

If this was mine, I would place it into a larger pot (again?) and let it grow for a couple of years to build a larger trunk. If it is in the larger pot already, then I would pot it into an even larger one. Really let it grow and build up a larger trunk.

Regards,
Martin

 

[berobinson82]

I think your left trunk needs to be shortened by at least half so that there is a true dominant trunk. Let us know what you decide?

 

[mike sommers]

I think your left trunk needs to be shortened by at least half so that there is a true dominant trunk. Let us know what you decide?

That makes sense. I think I'll try that this spring. Thank you for your suggestion.

 

[mike sommers]

I think your left trunk needs to be shortened by at least half so that there is a true dominant trunk. Let us know what you decide?

I took your advice but went a little further - I removed the left trunk completely. I think it looks a lot better. I'll let it grow out for awhile to thicken it up. Thanks for your advice.

 

[berobinson82]

Yowsers! Can we see a picture of the new trunk line?

 

[lordy]

Mike, you dont mess around, do you?
I think you kept the best trunk. Sometimes it helps seeing the tree one month apart to get a better feel for the time lapse aspect of growth. That way, if something strikes you as good or bad, you may be able to redirect/remove/let it be. I wish I had done that with all of my trees, but I'm a bonehead and just didnt. Dont be a bonehead.

 

[mike sommers]

Yowsers! Can we see a picture of the new trunk line?

Here's the after picture.