Dying tips?

[PowerTap]

Next question on this tree is that I'm seeing new growth coming in that is nice and dense. I like what's developing, but a lot of that denser foliage is at the end of elongated sparce foliage.

This is the good growth I'm seeing.


This is what the older sparse growth looks like:


I'm not sure if I should:

1. Wait for stmpring and see what growth I get in the spring.
2. Trim back foliage so that growth in the spring will be closer to the branches.
3. Wait and cut it back next year as new back budded growth starts to develop.

I want to encourage good dense growth, without compromising the health of the tree.

 

[bwaynef]

The weak sparse growth probably isn't going to improve in quality. So #1's out. Of the other 2 options, I'd recommend waiting to allow the vigor in the tree to create backbuds. They *might* pop on their own, otherwise you'll have to cut back to force them. There's some nuance in knowing how much ...of what vigor, you have to leave in order to sustain the branch and cause it to create backbuds. I would cut it back in stages until you get the kind of growth you want ...where you want it. That's going to take a while. That said, I just saw a professional who advocates a much more aggressive cutback to produce high quality interior growth.

Meanwhile, fast draining soil, lots of sun, plenty of fertilizer, copious amounts of water and it'll get there.