Tag Archive

This is one of my trees that was partly neglected over the last couple of years. It’s pruning only really focused on cutting back to the silhouette (due to lack of time), so while the canopy out of leaf looked twiggy and dense, the structure was not great and the beginnings of lumps and bumps were forming where too many shoots emerged from one place.

The time came recently to do some work on this tree and it was pruned back and re-potted.

Above: Pre-work. The tree looks dense and ramified but the beginnings of lumps were forming within the canopy. It was time to cut out some problems.

Above: After a cut back. I think about 50% of the fine twigs were removed. While this is a bit of a set back, with a year of strong growth i think i can probably get 3 or 4 flushes out of it and mostly replace what has been lost, but this time upon better structure.

Above: ….. and a re-pot. Not a dramatic change as its the exact same size, style and make of pot, just in a different colour.

This little tree stands 12cm from the rim of the pot which doesn’t really come across in the pics but it is a tree that really fits in the palm of your hand.

During this growing season i will be working towards rounding out the top of the canopy and increasing the ramification. I will do this via:

• Heavy feeding
• Outer canopy defoliation and cut back
• Selective pruning of twig structure to avoid growing more issues into the tree and;
• Possibly some limited wiring.

I will update again if the above is successful.