Iris,

The hackberry should make a nice bonsai. I think I would leave it to grow
for a while before chopping. The more top growth you leave, the faster the
lower part of the trunk will thicken. You should decide roughly how tall
you want the tree to be in the end, then you can make a determination of how
thick the base of the trunk should be (i.e. the basic ratio rule of 1:6,
trunk diameter to height). Once you have thickened up the trunk close to
your goal you can chop it down and start developing taper with the new
leader that you will select.

Brent has a very comprehensive article on his website dealing with
developing trunks in deciduous trees he
http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/trunks.htm

Regards,
Roger Snipes
Spokane, WA. Zone 5ish

----- Original Message -----
From:

I recently bought a seedling (?) of Celtis occidentalis forma pumila. It is
supposedly a dwarf form with small leaves. I was going to use it for
landscaping & changed my mind. It is 2 feet tall, 1/4" caliper, with a few
leafy
branches at the top. I put it in the growing bed. Is it worth bothering
with? Should
I chop it back to get taper or just let it grow for now? Will I live long
enough for it to accomplish something?
Iris

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