Rudd’s Silverberry #1

[Ruddigger]

They are very strong trees. I defoliate mine each spring after the first push, and then pinch extending growth thereafter. If you completely defoliate, the second flush of growth is completely silver.

I’ve worked them before, but this is the first one I’ve owned and been able to observe on a daily basis. The strength is really crazy. I downsized the pot, completely defoliated and wired, and it popped back with leaves even bigger than before. On top of that it doesn’t seem to mind being in full sun. It seems like it’s the perfect species for Southern California.

 

[Ruddigger]

An absolute stunner any time of year. The lighting and backdrop are pretty killer too.

Thanks. Got lucky with the sunlight there.

 

[Ruddigger]

2nd round of work on the tree this year. I’ve cut back some extensions and did leaf cutting a couple times, but it was still fully wired and the only way to get in there and remove it was to defoliate again. Luckily most everything held position well, with no wire bite.

All aluminum was removed and some branching was rewired with copper. I cleaned up a lot of stubs from the previous cuts and pushed back to new growth where I could.

This tree should be ready for our club show in October, but it has a long way to go before it’s ready for a major show.

Before and After:

 

[Ruddigger]

After thinking about it I made some changes. I redid the guy wire that was attached to the tie down wires under the pot, and I anchored it inside a hollow in the trunk instead. And then I added a few more to really bring down the first branch and the back branch. I think it’s an improvement, but I’m open to feedback.

 

[rockm]

After thinking about it I made some changes. I redid the guy wire that was attached to the tie down wires under the pot, and I anchored it inside a hollow in the trunk instead. And then I added a few more to really bring down the first branch and the back branch. I think it’s an improvement, but I’m open to feedback.View attachment 608068View attachment 608069View attachment 608067

Very nice tree. After working on one recently, I wish they were more commonly available. Would love to have one like this.

 

[Ruddigger]

Very nice tree. After working on one recently, I wish they were more commonly available. Would love to have one like this.

So far I’ve found them to be a fantastic species to work with. They’re pretty far and few between out here too for some reason, which is strange because they used to be commonly used as hedges.

 

[bwaynef]

Several Eleagnus species are on SC invasive species list. They're probably available to collect, but can't be sold.

 

[NaoTK]

The image is tiny I cant see it well, and the 'resize' doesn't do anything

 

[Ruddigger]

The image is tiny I cant see it well, and the 'resize' doesn't do anything

 

[NaoTK]

Looks good! We have been talking about drop branches in Dennis' study group. Haters will say your first branch is not natural but I think it looks good. They can go straight down sometimes:

 

[Ruddigger]

I agree you see it all the time, a big dropping branch with secondaries that rise back up.

 

[pandacular]

The added drop helps with the feeling of flow. Comparing the before and after, the old silhouette felt too static for the trunk. The technique of anchoring to the hollow is exceptionally well executed.