The layer responded with a small cup full of roots to comb out. The ugly bottom was severed off and the tree was planted out in a grow box. At this point with it in the grow box and being able to step back and take in the tree it was clear that even with a new bottom this was never going to be a good tree.
The trunk was almost the same size the whole way up and the branches did not come off the trunk in good positions. At this point the tree could have been re-chopped (and should have
) and could have gone on to make a good shohin tree. The branches could have been all re-grown and a pretty good tree would now be ready to show. I felt I could save it and so I worked on it for a couple more years. (stubborn ole fool
)