Oops - Should I have cut the tap root?

Shambhala

I repotted my Quince last week, and because it was so late and it was my first time, I decided not to cut the tap root. I simply pegged that thing down so it was lying horizontal in the growing box

Now should I have chopped it right off, or trim it back a little bit each season? I know it was a mistake to just keep the thing as is, but I was thinking in the tree's best interest

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Levon

I would have chopped it of, but it isn't a problem if you leave it there until next year.

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Tony

Well, it would have been best to take a little of the taproot off anyway, because that will cause more lateral roots higher up. But I don't think it's a big deal. You can cut it back next spring when the tree is a little more stable [health wise].

ripsgreentree

I know that I will get the big argument on this but live or die if I decide to tear into a tree the tap root is cut into the base of the tree and also every thing that points down. Not everything will servive this but what does becomes good bonsai material in a much shorter time. After care is criticle, but I do this with everything from seedling to field stock to nursery stock. You will generally only have to do the real drastic cutting once and after that only keep the roots under control. I also would not use this technique except at bear root time in the spring.
ripsgreentree

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ripsgreentree

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