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Greybeard
Join Date: Aug-2001
Location: Fresno, CA
Country: USA
Posts: 5,108
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Hi John, Well thats a tricky question. Elms for me are very easy because the tips are so directional. They will go just exactly where you point them with directional pruning. At this point with this small tree I will focus on getting some of the branches to lignify asap. Working on elms I find it easier to prune only once in spring and once in fall. This keeps the basic shape intact and affords me just small pinching the rest of the time.
On this small tree I will have to let the branches grow quite long to get any wood this year. This is why the wire has been left long on the one branch. Even though this will probably become the second branch, I will concentrate more on this branch due to the fact that this branch will help set the mood for the tree. By virtue of the branch seeming to be lower on the trunk on the left that may well be the first branch. The sasha eda will be the second branch though.
In this pic the apex has been pruned back and it has budded quite well. About another month and I should have the beginning of some wood at the bases of those first small branches.
Cheers, Al
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It's about time that the proper respect be given to the fine art of balloon animals...
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