Sorry, I should have been clearer -- I cut back the branches only, not the
trunk itself. I left about 12 inches of branches, so it's not quite a knob
on a stick (oooerr!!) Branches had sprung out all over the place,
untidy-like, and were shaped like the spokes of an umbrella -- almost took
my eye out every time I passed by. So I cut off the sticking-out branches,
to leave just the graceful weepy branches. Whether the branches will once
again shoot off into umbrella spokes, I don't know. If they do, I think
I'll just get rid of the tree as it's more trouble than it's worth -- it's
usually full of greenflies, mildew and rust and it doesn't even give me
catkins. I might plant a grafted cherry or cotoneaster in its place. I
just need a bit of height to fill a small raised corner.

Regards,




"Kay Easton" wrote in message
...
Unfortunately, since they're grafted, you can't cut them right back to
ground level, so you're still left with the knob on a stick. I reckon
the only way to keep them weeping would be to tie down the new growths
with black cotton.
--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/garden/