Dumpster diving azalea

[tropheus]

Lately I have been dumpster diving at a local landscaping place. They have a giant dumpster with plant material they throw away from tear-outs. Mostly stuff is dead but I have found some yews and boxwood so far. Today I found 3 Azalea, the first two were twigs that I will just put in the ground out back. This one had a fairly nice trunk so I am potting it in a container, how much of the top if any would you guys suggest I cut back on this. Any other suggestions are welcome as well.

Thanks in advance.

 

[coppice]

In first photo (as front) I'd leave left branch (with leaves) on and prune out everything else.

Pot to field or deep landscape pot and leave it alone for 2013.

 

[jkd2572]

I would wait until next spring and chop it back to about 8 inches. Basically leaving 1inch stubs on the branches. John g has done quite a few this way with nice results. Here is one of his you tube videos. Hopefully he will chime in. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HrwiBVpzolI

 

[not_sponsored]

The bark on that azalea is gnarly, nice find