Tsuga apical dominance question

[brainfree]

I have this 5 year old Eastern Hemlock that’s been growing in my garden the last few years and potted it this spring. First flush of growth has come and gone and now it’s starting to shoot straight up and I’m wondering if I should prune the top to give it more movement or wire it. I’d like to style it in an informal upright design.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Paradox]

If you think it's getting too tall for your liking, you could pick a new leader below the current apex and cut back. You do have a lot of branches in the top part of the tree to choose from. I think this would be ok to do now but I'm not as well versed with hemlock so I'd like to see what others say.

 

[WinstonWolfe]

If you think it's getting too tall for your liking, you could pick a new leader below the current apex and cut back. You do have a lot of branches in the top part of the tree to choose from. I think this would be ok to do now but I'm not as well versed with hemlock so I'd like to see what others say.

Yes, I would consider this for sure. They are super strong at the apex. Make sure you are pruning the tips from three to two also. They really like to elongate and you lose internal branching.
Nice movement though. Good start.

 

[WinstonWolfe]

This is mine. Collected about 2020? Any opinions on the lower left branch?

 

[Paradox]

Kinda seems out of place considering the one above it is so thick

 

[brainfree]

I’m not as experienced as others but I think if you pruned it back a bit, you’d get some ramification happening. Also I’m curious about as to why you have that branch in the front wired down towards the base of the trunk.

 

[WinstonWolfe]

I’m not as experienced as others but I think if you pruned it back a bit, you’d get some ramification happening. Also I’m curious about as to why you have that branch in the front wired down towards the base of the trunk.

That was not intentional. The wire is to weak to hold it in place, and its been on my list of things to correct for too long... thanks for immediately calling it out

 

[WinstonWolfe]

And yes, the thick branch above is very distracting. I'm slowly pulling it down, but it is a big one, and doesn't like to move fast. If I can get it down further, then I think I may be able to eliminate/ jin the lowest

I’m not as experienced as others but I think if you pruned it back a bit, you’d get some ramification happening. Also I’m curious about as to why you have that branch in the front wired down towards the base of the trunk.