Exposed root Wisteria?

[zens]

Does anyone have experience or an example of exposing roots on Wisterias? Google wasn't much help.

Recently acquired a big old wisteria stump. Repotted today and found that the stump is double the exposed height and the most interesting part in the lower base. The problem being many roots have started half way up and there are limited lower roots (was in heavy potting mix so not draining well). Hopefully now its in a better mix the lower roots will establish stronger. Im not willing to cut them as the stump has only a couple of tiny buds.

Very early days obviously but i can see quite a nice potential design by exposing the high roots over time. Ive just never seen or heard of an exposed root style wisteria.

Thanks

 

[rockm]

Picture would help

 

[zens]

I didnt take any pics during the process only after. Ive repotted it and set it so the higher roots re covered again to develop thicker and slowly expose over the next couple of seasons.

 

[doc spring _work]

Ooh that's a gnarly truck!


My thoughts on it (if they are welcome..)
Tons of potential here with the natural damage, on that side view though id adore seeing it tilted onto its side and possibly doing some approach grafts with wisteria whips or possibly thread grafting to establish a nebari on the inverse taper, as that grows you could then separate the high roots (that are buried) and hopefully have two trees

I don't know if I've seen exposed roots for wisteria but it could be quite nice with the flowers... But my brain does scream that's a very "feminine" design and the shape and character of your stump is definitely gonna be more "masculine" with the nobs scars and holes...

I'm still a beginner so thats just what I see and think but I'm excited to see what you do or what your design ideas for the wisteria is!

 

[zens]

Thanks Doc

Im kicking myself for not taking pics during repotting.

Under the soil is a big upside down T shape of base. It was potted so deeply tho it was very wet and most of the roots developed at the current line visible in the pics.

Totally agree is a very masculine trunk. Its a shame the top two branches died. All the new budding growth is near the visible roots. It will be a very big tree if i keep all the stump height (eg about 45cm exposed if i use the full trunk). But thats all a long way down the road. For now ill settle for getting it healthy and growing

 

[rockm]

If you want it healthy (and the lack of new branching and the dead top branching suggests its not) stop messing with the roots and making plans that will weaken them even further.

Wisteria like heavier soils, but soggy soil kill roots.

Where are you location is important for advice.

 

[rockm]

FWIW severing large roots on wisteria typically results in die back on the trunk above. I would not encourage an exposed root design. I would work to ground layer new roots where the trunk flares above the narrow portion.

Ground layering is easy with wisteria. Nick the trunk to penetrate the cambium in a few places where you want new roots to emerge (NOT all the way around). Make sure the wounds are in the same plane to encourage decent design possibilities then pile denser soil up over the trunk to abou five inches over the wound plane. (Soil should be piled up all around the trunk base not just where the wounds are. Keep the soil most and wait

BTW all this should be done in the spring/summer. Heat will help stimulate roots. If you try to do this in fall/winter you will have problems