Casanova's Case Studies

[JD3000]

I derailed far better than that.


Things degenerate from here on out I'm afraid...

 

[TCtreeswinger]

Wouldnt you prefer to leave smaller insignificant laterals to build trunk taper while keeping temporary laterals to feed and shade larger cuts? Pruning cycle dependent i suppose...

 

[JD3000]

I think we derailed in record time. Does the forum have a trophy for that?

I might be awarded it if it ever comes about. I kinda like the idea frankly.

 

[JD3000]

Wouldnt you prefer to leave smaller insignificant laterals to build trunk taper while keeping temporary laterals to feed and shade larger cuts? Pruning cycle dependent i suppose...

To your point, I probably would redraw it to show that making the largest cuts asap rather than waiting but reduction can delay it. I think getting proper root establishment at first trumps doing a harsh structural pruning right away. So therefore, reduce all codoms a little tiny bit now, then focus on structure later. Lousy, though very inexpensive, nursery plant truth be told.

 

[evo]

To your point, I probably would redraw it to show that making the largest cuts asap rather than waiting but reduction can delay it. I think getting proper root establishment at first trumps doing a harsh structural pruning right away. So therefore, reduce all codoms a little tiny bit now, then focus on structure later. Lousy, though very inexpensive, nursery plant truth be told.

Ehh just add some epsom salt and pee on it. It will be fine, get er done

 

[JD3000]

Magnesium sulfate and urea may be just what the Dr ordered!

But probably not.

 

[evo]

oyster shells and banana's? Then pee on it?

 

[JD3000]

Compost that mess first please.

 

[JD3000]

Pruning cycle dependent i suppose...

There's a key point. How soon can you get back? That dictates dosage more often than not.

 

[cerviarborist]

In Florida when you buy a cull like that, you're paying money for a tree that any legit nursery would have thrown on the burn pile. And yes, under Florida's Grades & Standards for nursery plants, that would be graded a cull and unsellable. Nurseries however are under no compulsion to adhere to the standard as it's entirely voluntary, so you can still buy a crap tree if you want.

There are however nurseries selling really kicking stock that will put you years ahead on restoring a canopy, because while you're trying to polish that turd without killing it, a good tree would be establishing and growing.

 

[colb]

In Florida when you buy a cull like that, you're paying money for a tree that any legit nursery would have thrown on the burn pile. And yes, under Florida's Grades & Standards for nursery plants, that would be graded a cull and unsellable. Nurseries however are under no compulsion to adhere to the standard as it's entirely voluntary, so you can still buy a crap tree if you want.

There are however nurseries selling really kicking stock that will put you years ahead on restoring a canopy, because while you're trying to polish that turd without killing it, a good tree would be establishing and growing.

He's getting good value, a few inches of caliper, and has the skills and disposition to train the tree. Very rare case, but I feel like this situation matches the person... One approach to bonsai/niwaki establishment is to take large stock and do "severe" things to it. The common person obviously can't do this though...

 

[JD3000]

And he got it for $5. Good pruning practice if nothing else!

 

[TCtreeswinger]

To your point, I probably would redraw it to show that making the largest cuts asap rather than waiting but reduction can delay it. I think getting proper root establishment at first trumps doing a harsh structural pruning right away. So therefore, reduce all codoms a little tiny bit now, then focus on structure later. Lousy, though very inexpensive, nursery plant truth be told.

Touche...the whiskey made me forget about the root pruning. Do you think retaining more foliage would spur auxin and giberellin to create more root mass or vice versa? Obviously you dont want to add injury to insult just spitballing at this point

 

[Santiago Casanova]

I might plant it today or tomorrow. If I do, how long should I wait before I start to reduce the codoms? Also, what kind of fertilizer and schedule is good for helping establish good root growth. Keep in mind that this is on my property so any schedule you guys think is best can be executed. That is why I figured this would make a good series of case studies. Thanks for all the input so far.

 

[ATH]

I know I'm coming into this one a little late...but is the top even alive? The Sweet gum is leafed out. In pic 2, it looks like the bottom half of the tree has full leaves...but none on the top.

 

[Santiago Casanova]

I should add that several months ago I trimmed all the circling roots off and repotted it. It probably has new root growth starting by now.

 

[Santiago Casanova]

The top is alive. The middle and the left are going to start to leaf out but I think the right side is mostly dead.

 

[DSMc]

The most important thing you can do is plant it at the right depth and keep it watered appropriately. No fertilizer or pruning but add a layer of fresh hole tree chips as mulch.

 

[Santiago Casanova]

Does the type of mulch matter? I tend to use cypress mulch on bigger plants and cypress sawdust on smaller ones. That has held up well.

 

[JD3000]

Mulch and water, keep weeds off of it. Let the growth hormones do their thing and prune the next season. I would possibly consider tip pruning the co-doms but wouldn't do proper structural until it has gotten established.