Page 56 - BSAM 2016 Q3

Top left; March 2011, the pot extension is removed to reveal a much better structure.
Top right; After wiring.
Middle, upper left; June 2013 after the tree has grown for 2 years in a larger pot with extension around the tree’s base.
Middle, upper right; Two months later the tree has been pruned.
Bottom three photos; A year later the tree is pruned, wired and placed in a smaller container. The overall shape and taper is coming along nicely.
54 | BCI | July/August/September 2016
A er a year, the pot extension was removed and a better proportioned structure was revealed. is was indeed a happy moment, as the initial lack of taper was on its way to being solved. Taking advantage of the opportunity, I arranged the general pro le of the tree, placing branches into position and arranging roots closer to the body of the tree. Terminal buds of branch- es that needed to grow further were le intact. e tree was le to grow freely, carefully monitoring growth. A er two seasons, the overall health of the tree was balanced, the combined trees grew perfectly as a unit and it was time to arrange the pro le once again. To this point, because the roots had already merged into one, the pot extension was removed. A er removing it, a strong-buttressed trunk, reminiscent of life size