Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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- USDA Zone
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You have the basic ''chop and make a new apex'' - The branch bent up now needs to grow for several years, so it can thicken to look more like a logical extension of the lower trunk. Let the upright run tall to build caliper. Next year you can carve the stump left of the main trunk to smooth the transition to the new apex. Don't do it right now, the new apex needs to heal after all that bending.
This chop and bend up will be repeated several times over the course of developing this tree. Each time, once the new apex gets close to the diameter of the lower section, it will be chopped a few inches above the previous chop. new branch wired up. Takes time, but in the end makes a very nice tree.
Next time, don't let anyone else work on your tree. Have them stand next to you and tell you what to do. You need to get the tactile feel of what is being done. Only you should make the cuts and bends. Tell them to just talk you through it.
This chop and bend up will be repeated several times over the course of developing this tree. Each time, once the new apex gets close to the diameter of the lower section, it will be chopped a few inches above the previous chop. new branch wired up. Takes time, but in the end makes a very nice tree.
Next time, don't let anyone else work on your tree. Have them stand next to you and tell you what to do. You need to get the tactile feel of what is being done. Only you should make the cuts and bends. Tell them to just talk you through it.
I did 99% of the wiring, and the big initial chop. The clubs guru Martin Walters spent a lot of time with me and I'm very thankful for it. Thanks for your advice
