Hackberry--Celtis occidentalis: Suggestions?

[Oliver Muscio]

Last Spring I dug up two trees from a corner of my garden that I had rather neglected, with rather poor results in terms of lack of taper and size of cut wounds. I let both trees grow unrestrained in a grow box last year. One is a winged elm (Ulmus alata), which I will present in another thread. The tree in this thread, a hackberry, seems to me to be the more workable of the two, although it has large wounds where overgrown branches were cut off. I plan to let the top leader continue to grow another year to improve the taper before cutting it back, but would like suggestions as to how to deal with the rest of the tree.

Oliver

 

[DaveV]

I think the 3rd photo is the better front. Maybe that is the front.

 

[crust]

I would chose a front that shows off the curves and of course the best base and rootage--probably #3. Tip if necessary so it is not leaning away. I agree and would definatly grow out the leader for a while. I also would wire any branch structure you intend to retain concentrating on graceful arching exits from the trunk focusing on the branch base so they would have to be smaller branches. Cut off anything large and coarse eventually. I would train it into a upright hardwood style following the flow of the curve building graceful but irregular branching through cut and grow and wiring methods. Nice material.

 

[Gene Deci]

I like that tree a lot. I believe you have some real possibilities there but you will probably have to live with the bulging cut wounds. I have found no way to avoid them entirely on hackberry. Sometimes they can add interest though. In any case, hackberry ramify wonderfully. Stick with your plan, be patient and in a few years you should have a very nice tree indeed.

 

[JudyB]

Love Hackberry, and that's a beaut! I too like pic 3 as the front. Keep us posted.

 

[Oliver Muscio]

Thanks all! I saw either pic 1 or 3 as the front. Side 3 seems to be the favorite. I'll be looking at it closely.
Oliver

 

[jason biggs]

very nice nebari + the 2 big bottom wounds in picture 3 seem to have closed up fantastically-great tree

 

[Zach Smith]

Your plan sounds right on target. All you really have to do while the new leader grows unrestrained is to develop your branching. You've got more than one choice for a front, so you may have to develop with the potential for changing the front down the road. But considering how nice this material is, it's not a bad problem to have.

Keep us posted.

Zach

 

[discusmike]

Very nice find,and you did not have to walk far to find it

 

[Oliver Muscio]

Very nice find,and you did not have to walk far to find it

Nope, I just had to wait years for it!
Oliver

 

[jason biggs]

is this tree still alive??
should be looking good by now