AusBonsai

I've got a hawthorn which is not a tree I've worked with before. It took me an hour to pick it out from the bunch. It was actually a different tree that got me mesmerised as it had such lovely branch structure but in the end I chose this one as it had the best opportunity to develop trunk taper, where the other one had a very straight trunk.




After a little dig down to check the roots, there are some decent roots on two thirds of the trunk circumference and then a third with seemingly nothing at all. I propose these two options as front of tree, but I prefer the one with the scar, as it is forming a uro and where the proposed chop is to go will put another smaller uro up the trunk on the other side which I think will be complimentary.

Preferred front:




2nd front option:




Or even shorter:


Does this seem a reasonable thing to do?

I like your first option but would prefer to cut it at the first small branch that is lower. Reason being I think the trunk is too taperless so it needs chopping as low as possible to improve. Guess you can try some different species now you are in SA ? How long are you staying there for ?

Hopefully forever! I was worried you were going to say that. Future husband will not understand how the tree got so short, lol! I was thinking to cut that low too, but chickened out a bit.

Yes trying new trees, I went to this place to find a Japanese maple but they ones I was willing to part with the cash all had severe wire bite and just too many problems, and that's not knowing what the roots were doing. Nice trunks though, but bar branching issues and the wire was being consumed by the tree on the two I really liked. I know you can cut them off and regrow but for that price I wanted something less affected.

Hi Beano, sounds to me like you made a wise choice.
Fiance will see it your way in a year or two as the tree grows and he realises," wow she was right"
it looks much better now after she cut the daylights out of it.!!!
Enjoy Adelaide and keep your eyes open around your neighbourhood. I'm sure you can find a garden with
say a big maple that the owner may let you airlayer a branch from [for free]. But be ware, its a slippery slope when
the trees in your yard suddenly start multiplying. May help to get future hubby on board "the bonsai train first"
By the way I hope you know you are now in Olive tree" heaven. I'm told they are growing all over place around Adelaide,
just waiting to be collected and turned into bonsai
let us know how the hawthorn develops
cheers

I think I would cut just above the first branch. To cut where you have marked higher up leaves a lot of straight trunk that in the future you will probably not like. Better to bite the bullet now what type of Hawthorn is it? Have you removed all the thorns?
Cheers
Kirky

Another vote for cutting lower and using that first branch as the new leader

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I don't know but the shop lady said it was a red flowering one. It came how you see it. I haven't seen any thorns yet.