Paul's Scarlet haw.

[treeman]

I have a question. Has anyone been able to train PS hawthorn branches to their satisfaction? I must admit that out of the many trees I've tried over the years this is the single most frustrating tree EVER!!!!. Yes once you bet small flowering branches they are easy to maintain (hardly grow at all) but new branches You grow one out, wire into position then if you trim during summer it just starts again without ramifying. If you cut back in winter, it usually shoots way back down near the branch base and the process starts all over again Someone Anyone . Help would be much apreciated

[shibui]

I have not tried Paul's Scarlet but had similar frustration with a collected hawthorn. As well as only producing 1 new shoot shoots are just as likely to grow vertically up or down and need to be removed. It has taken about 20 years to get good branch structure and flowering wood. Not even sure I know what technique worked better.

[bodhidharma]

In Spring when they are putting on lots of growth make your branch or secondary, tertiary selection and gently wire into place. leave them longer than you need and wire gently as they snap when new. Cut off the ones not in the plan. Protect against pear slug as mine were decimated this year. Then practise patience as they are, as Shibui said, SLOW. I had a few flowers this year but no berries. They are difficult to make flower and fruit. Washington thorn are a better subject. My Scarlet flowers profusely but common Hawthorns

[treeman]

Thanks shibui and bodhi.
It seems with these its all about restraining the vigour of the strong spring growth? Slow and steady and lots of patience?