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Best option for a Pyracantha?
http://weetrees.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19156		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Brendan [ 05 Feb 2021, 15:03 ]
Post subject:  Best option for a Pyracantha?
I bought a nursery stock pyracantha a few years ago. It was about 12 foot tall. I cut it down to under a foot and then just left it in the nursery pot.

Today I plucked it out to repot it. Here are the roots:



ImagePyracantha by BrendanR2012, on Flickr





Here is the whole tree. You can see how easily I can create a fairly typical tree as there is a decent root flare.

ImagePyracantha by BrendanR2012, on Flickr

ImagePyracantha by BrendanR2012, on Flickr







But the roots are so interesting that I am thinking of stripping away the roots all along the length of that root/trunk and having it as an exposed root style.

ImagePyracantha by BrendanR2012, on Flickr

ImagePyracantha by BrendanR2012, on Flickr


My options are either to go for it and remove the roots save for the bottom bit that I hope is enough for the tree to survive.

Or to sever the roots as high as possible leaving as much of that long root/trunk intact and then planting the roots in the hope that they will sprout a new top. Do pyracantha strike from root cuttings? Would such a huge cutting work?

I would prefet to start development of the exposed root tree based on new shoots from a severed root. But if that fails I will have lost the opportunity to do something quite special.

If I commit to keeping the tree as it is and strip off all the roots and I hate it I can always do a complete air layer. Pyracantha root easily, so that option would cost me time, but probably wouldn't cost me the tree.

Advice? Ideas?
Author:  Betula [ 05 Feb 2021, 22:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Best option for a Pyracantha?
I think a modified air layer technique might work- cutting a @1'' ring of cambium/bark off just below the first root mass , enclosing that top root mass including the cut bark ring in one split pot , trim off the mid- stem roots exposing that middle section to light ,and then planting the lower root mass in a larger lower pot,You could wrap both pots in shrink wrap or cling film to conserve moisture and protect till the upper 'air layer' is well established in its pot then separate and this should enable the mid section to develop aerial shoots . I hope this makes sense?
Author:  johnbaz [ 06 Feb 2021, 01:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: Best option for a Pyracantha?
I bought a few trees a few years ago that had been in the ground, One was a field maple which was similar to this, I chopped the bottom set off and threw it on the compost, It suddenly hit me that it may be viable so I retried it and stuck it in the ground at my house where i'd put the others, It put new shoots out like crazy!!

I collected the trees back at the end of november in 2017, The little bit circled in red is the rootstock that was to have been thrown away, This pic was taken the following july, It's now around three feet tall with about four trunks, They're not too thick though, Around a half inch at the base last time I looked so i'm letting them just keep going!

The taller one circled is the top part!
Image

Initially I planted five trees, Two didn't make it and I ended up with four!! ;-)

Maybe if you chopped it in the centre you'd eventually have two trees! :201thumbup:

When I planted the rootstock I made sure that the top of it was above ground!


John :smallthumb:
Author:  Brendan [ 06 Feb 2021, 20:22 ]
Post subject:  Re: Best option for a Pyracantha?
Thanks guys. I think the best option is to separate the top tree from the root stock and plant the root stock.

I think I will plant it in a mix of cat litter with a third John Innes compost. With the top sticking out. In a pot as opposed to the ground.
Author:  john blanchard [ 07 Feb 2021, 02:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Best option for a Pyracantha?
Brendan, they are Rosaceae so you could black bag the roots and sweat them. It should help with getting some shoots.
Author:  Graham W [ 07 Feb 2021, 14:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: Best option for a Pyracantha?
I would chop the thick trunk off where your thumb is in pic 1, above the thick curled root

Graham
Author:  Will [ 08 Feb 2021, 15:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: Best option for a Pyracantha?
Graham W wrote:
I would chop the thick trunk off where your thumb is in pic 1, above the thick curled root

Graham


Yes I agree Graham be much better chopped there
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