Dawn Redwood Trunk Chop

[Aaron the Great]

I'm trying to prepare for this ahead of time and I want to add it to my calendar so I will know when to do the deed.
When is the best time of year to do a trunk chop on a Dawn Redwood. Also how do you do it? Do you cut it straight across it or do you cut it at an angle?
I did one on a dawn redwood I had several years ago, I just cut it straight across at about halfway up the 4 foot tall tree and I stuck the top half in a pot like a cutting. The bottom half grew a new leader but the place where I made the cut was an eyesore and never looked right.

 

[johng]

I haven't worked with DR but I have worked extensively with BC. In terms of a chopping, this is how I do it. If I am chopping to an existing branch I will typically do an angled chop. If I am hoping for a new leader I will do a flat chop. Once the new leader has formed and established itself, 1-2 seasons, I will go back and create and angled chop between the apex branch and a slightly lower branch. Angled chops are used to disguise and create taper in the top of the trunk whereas a flat chop is optimizing the locations for a new apex to grow and will always need further attention at some point down the road.

 

[Aaron the Great]

Thank you, that was well explained

 

[dbonsaiw]

I second johng. Early spring when the buds start to pop is when I chop the few DR I have.