Nice shot indeed ! Seems you are making good improvements to the tree

I hope so. This winter I think I'm chopping the larger branches close to the trunk.I think they are too tall and thick. I'm still on the fence about it though.

It's looking better than before!

I was thinking about this tree for styling, and they have very tall, thick branches with not much movement. But most branches are looking to the right, so maybe a windswept will be an idea in the future.

Now it's time to prepare the tree for it's first styling when the time is right.

Good luck!

Since this tree has responded really well to everything I've done to it this year, I was thinking of putting it in a much shallower pot in the spring, and if the branching doesn't improve a bit I think I am going to cut the top down to about 6 inches.That way I can wire the new growth. I think this tree needs to be more formal.

Here is the tree today. It bounces back from everything I do to it really well. Just a fun side note. I put all the clipped branches in a jar of water and most of them are starting to root.

Ah I see, it's doing well, good work!

Hi Pinkham,
Wow! You have a really great way with plants. I'm enjoying your photos and progress. Great work & thanks for sharing.

Leslie

The leaves on this hydrangea have grown quickly, and seem smaller than the ones I cut off. here are a few pictures of it today. I still might cut it close to the trunk. this lop sided-ness isn't working for me.

Hi Pinkham,

I think I agree with you. THje branches the tree has now are too thick, rough and sharp-bended. I would also consider reducing the canopy seriously and get rid of perhaps 90% of the existing canopy. I have a hard time seeing the tree in there. Maybe an upright? THat would mean: Selecting the nicest upward growing branch, and removing all else, and work with the regrowth, Naturally you would need to do such work in late winter or protect the plant very carefully against winter.

This would give you material to work with in spring. But also then you would have to control growth an dkeep reducing the growing points.

this is what I planned on doing to the hydrangea. I decided to give it this year to see if I could fix the lop sided part. It's not looking like There is any other option. I'll chop it back this winter and see where it goes from there. I think the canopy being closer to the trunk will look much better. That way I can wire the new shoots before they harden up. The branches on this tree cannot be wired after the first year.