bonsaial1

95%? I think you think this tree had more foliage on it than it really had. I maybe removed about 40%, and at 4 or more feet from the roots. If you look at the root ball, you will notice that the can is cut about 3" thick. The 5 foot long gangly tree was supported by a meager root system 4 1/2 feet from the food. I think the tree had already given up on supporting the tree so far away, and that is the reason it pushed the small branch so close to the root system. Just guesses for me now.

The soil over the years had been washed out of what I figure at one time must have been a full container of soil. The root ball is now at a manageable size for me to continue my work.

The tree will be repotted in the spring, and at the time it was bought, plus the fact that the tree has responded favorably tells me that it can't wait for what I have in store next. Poor thing just does not know any better.

In the past I have always made my chops on an undisturbed root ball. That way I get maximum push for the new tree. I get the whole summer for the plant to exhaust its reserves and then I fatten it up for the winter, and root prune in the spring, that way the tree slows down so I can continue training at a more leisurely pace. Is there a down side to this I am missing, let me know.

Regards, Bonsaial

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