How should I chop this ilex?

[Cajunrider]

So I weeded the tree, cut all the many water shoots. Then took the tree to the band saw and sliced off 2”. Put 1/2” of soil in the pot then set the tree back. I put some extra soil on top and chop stick it in tight then pruned the canopy.
Before


Root ball


Sliced


Pruned

 

[Cajunrider]

So I weeded the tree, cut all the many water shoots. Then took the tree to the band saw and sliced off 2”. Put 1/2” of soil in the pot then set the tree back. I put some extra soil on top and chop stick it in tight then pruned the canopy.
Before
View attachment 498211

Root ball
View attachment 498212

Sliced
View attachment 498213

Pruned
View attachment 498214
View attachment 498215

This went off without a hitch. The tree remains healthy and already starts to grow again after all the work. I am thinking about repotting this coming spring and move it back to a shallow pot. Then I will focus on rebuilding the canopy. All the major structure work has been completed.

 

[Cajunrider]

The tree grew back strong and healthy. I pruned off all the vertical shoots. Then I pulled the tree out of the pot. Seeing that the tree has developed strong feeder roots, I sliced another 2” off the bottom. The root ball is nice and shallow now. The tree now sit very low in the pot. I will need to find a better pot for this tree in the spring.

 

[Cajunrider]

Spring pruning

 

[Cajunrider]

Fall pruning and carving on old scars to improve healing.