Joanie

You know, there's positive control and negative control. We think of "control" as being negative... manipulative, overpowering, etc. Not many people on this site get their kicks from cutting off branches (we hope)

But there is also a positive control, closer to nurturing. It has more to do with supplying what the tree needs, with interacting, and with give and take. You control the life of a pet also. You give it water and food, you lock it in or out, you walk it or you don't. "Control" in itself is a neutral term, because your interaction can be positive or negative. There are probably people who span the entire spectrum from either positive, interactive, nurturing control... through benign but distant control.... and into the overpowering, strong-arm control. Each person's personality is different.

I feel very nurturing when working with the trees. They are in my care, and they have requirements. If their requirements are met, they become beautiful. Their growth patterns are considered, and worked with. A trunk chop is reluctantly done, but it is the price one has to pay for the end result.

Joanie

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