Chop Top Monterey

[alpineart]

This is one of the many chop tops that i have collected over the last 4 weeks .I estimate the age of the trunk is around 8-10 years old and the new leader around 3-4 years old .The base of the trunk is 100mm chopped at 400mm with a total height of 2 metres .I reduced the height to a managable 1200mm a couple of weeks prior to digging .

Unfortunately the new leader has shot at 90 degrees to the trunk curve so from the side it looks unsightly . This will be carved and clamped to reduce the extreme bend to a more flowing line

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[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi,

Would you consider the lowest branch as a possible new leader?

Best regards.

[alpineart]

Hi,

Would you consider the lowest branch as a possible new leader?

Best regards.

Hi Daiviet the bottom branch is as ugly as sin and it looks like it has been stuck on with glue .I want to hold onto as much height as possible for a 2 man tree as i have numerous smaller chopped trunks .Cheers

[bodhidharma]

Looking at it Alpine it might make for a nice chunky Literati.

[alpineart]

Looking at it Alpine it might make for a nice chunky Literati.

Hi Bodhi , never entered my mind until you suggested it , a worthy considering .Here is a pic of the side its not pleasant to look at

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.Cheers

[bodhidharma]

Yep i see what you mean. I have a JBP with similar shortcomings and did a literati on it, looks great. I will send or post a photo of it when i can

[alpineart]

Yep i see what you mean. I have a JBP with similar shortcomings and did a literati on it, looks great. I will send or post a photo of it when i can

No worries i keep a keen eye out for the pic.Cheers

[Asus101]

Hi,

Would you consider the lowest branch as a possible new leader?

Best regards.

I would agree to that. it may take longer to thicken, but it would make a nicer tree in the end.

[alpineart]

Hi,

Would you consider the lowest branch as a possible new leader?

Best regards.

I would agree to that. it may take longer to thicken, but it would make a nicer tree in the end.

Can you produce a vert to show your idea .The trunk is 4inches thick the base branch is 6 inches up the trunk the perportions would be rather extreme . Cheers

[anttal63]

Hi,

Would you consider the lowest branch as a possible new leader?

Best regards.

I would agree to that. it may take longer to thicken, but it would make a nicer tree in the end.

wasn't it recently that you posted on the nut saying us aussies should be more creative and not just chop down to the first branch. what happened to splitting the trunk this time?

[anttal63]

alpine your collecting is inspiring always!. some raffia, spines and more heavy wire, bobs ya uncle. that tree will move any way you want. still young.

[alpineart]

[quote="anttal63"]alpine your collecting is inspiring always!. some raffia, spines and more heavy wire, bobs ya uncle. that tree will move any way you want. still young. [/quote

Hi Antonio the only problem is where the leader exits the main trunk i would need 2 / 4 x2 's and a couple of sash cramps to put a straighter line into the leader/trunk intersection or carve and clamp it for a straighter line .The leader exits 65mm thick and from 6 inches up the leader it has excellent movement and flowing lines . In all honesty i couldn't chop it down to the first branch i would go dig the sister tree , it has a identical trunk/leader set up only 4 inches high to the leader .

A literati would make use of the 1 sided root ball or informal would make use of the entire tree .The tree had fallen over and the roots died off on the exposed top side , blessed the root mass fitted into a very small training box .Cheers

[anttal63]

well go on mate do what ya gotta do then. i look forward to it.

[alpineart]

well go on mate do what ya gotta do then. i look forward to it.

I'll have i bit of a play when the lady goes to work ,need to get my priorities on line and organize the rest of the trees . I have to set up all the drought proofing sand-tray / wet beds for the watering regime so the lady can do that watering without the hassle of standing around with a hose or missing trees .Cheers

[bodhidharma]

Well, here you go Alpine. It is its first styling and future styling will be carving the top and side branches that have been cut and left. The tree was originally 1 metre tall and has been reduced to about 350mm. Once i start to work on the foliage it should look quite nice. We will wait and see.