Thanks to those who responded. Michael, I should have been more specific
about the tree I am talking about. For some reason, it is difficult to find
Scotts Pines at the nurseries here. When I did find one, at a decent price,
I bought it. So, it is a nursery plant with a trunk diameter of about 1.5"
and is about 2.5' tall. It has an initial sworl of weak branches and then
slightly above that had a sworl of larger strongly growing branches. The
trunk, of course, is slightly swollen at that point and I'll have to deal
with that at some point. I am contemplating chopping just above the one
branch that have left there and using it as the new leader. This would be
at approximately 1/3 the way up the trunk.

Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

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In that case I'd say go ahead and chop. I've done this with many of mine
of that sort of size.

You are in it for the long haul anyway. If you can plant in the ground
after chopping, giving it a well drained spot in full sun, it will
develop much more rapidly.

Cheers

Kev Bailey
Vale Of Clwyd, North Wales


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf
Of Isom, Jeff (EM, PTL)
Sent: 07 January 2004 21:49
To:
Subject: [IBC] Trunk chopping a Scotts Pine

Thanks to those who responded. Michael, I should have been more
specific
about the tree I am talking about. For some reason, it is difficult to
find
Scotts Pines at the nurseries here. When I did find one, at a decent
price,
I bought it. So, it is a nursery plant with a trunk diameter of about
1.5"
and is about 2.5' tall. It has an initial sworl of weak branches and
then
slightly above that had a sworl of larger strongly growing branches.
The
trunk, of course, is slightly swollen at that point and I'll have to
deal
with that at some point. I am contemplating chopping just above the one
branch that have left there and using it as the new leader. This would
be
at approximately 1/3 the way up the trunk.

Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

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********
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********
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--
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail
+++++

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In a message dated 1/7/2004 4:49:33 PM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:
I am contemplating chopping just above the one
branch that have left there and using it as the new leader. This would be
at approximately 1/3 the way up the trunk.
Jeff:

This is most likely a better decision for several reasons:

1. This is more a reduction in height than a major elimination of 2/3's of
the tree (a considerable trunk chop).
2. A nicely positioned leader can readily assume the position of apex if it
is managed with soundly applied technique.
3. Desirable results will most like present themselves within 1-2 years if
the energy of the tree is appropriately managed.

If you have a picture of the tree, please post it for our viewing.

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
http://members.aol.com/iasnob/index.html

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