"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
...

"Sue da Nimm" . wrote in message
...

"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
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"Pam Moore" wrote in message
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On Wed, 17 Dec 2003 22:38:45 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:

Would I ruin a Corylus avellana "Contorta" if I prune it so hard
that
it
has
effectively been coppiced some time between now and just after New
Year's
Day?

Why?
Be careful if you do. I gather they are grafted and you could
encourage lots of straight ordinary hazel rather than more
contortions.
Yes I think you would ruin it.

FWIW when we moved here someone had cut out all the twisted branches
from
our Hazel, thinking it was diseased! I cut all the straight growth out,
leaving just a stump. After three years it is now about 8ft tall with a
good
spread of bizarre contorted branches. I lop the odd straight branches as
they appear.

Thanks for the advice.

We also have a twisted willow which is a constant source of worry. It
produces masses of leaves and new twigs every spring - which nearly all
die
back come June. It then puts on new growth again in a hap-hazard fashion
until fall. I have carefully removed several dead branches - everything
else
seems healthy, but.....

It sounds sick.

Franz Heymann



I had one (Willow) that did just that for a few years. It had 4 major
branches and over the last 3 years it lost one per year. I mean totally
lost as in no leaves at all.

I cut the tree down last summer, and found that the base of the trunk,
beneath the bark had a coating of some white substance.

Since my C&G - Trees,Shrubs and Roses course of Autumn term, I now suspect
this was mycellium of Honey Fungus. I saw no toadstools though. I am now
expecting the sickly looking conifer to depart sometime in the coming few
years.