I got this swamp white oak bare root seedling at a tree giveaway a couple years ago, and stuck it in a pot since I'm not ready to plant in the ground yet. But it seems to have developed 2 main leaders, how should I prune to train it for one main trunk?
How to train seedling for main leader?
I think many oak seedlings thrive on being fractious, as your Quercus bicolor demonstrates. Good luck reigning it in.
I would consider tying together the two branches you've shown there. The left one in the picture seems to be growing more, but time will tell. By tying them together, and trying to pull them to a more upright position, that will attempt to convince your young lad to grow a vertical dominant leader.
I would not prune anything off yet. Let the plant show you what it is going to do, and you can always prune later - you just can't put it back.
Nurserymen often grow seedlings in pots like this very closely packed in order to force vertical growth. Your plant has the luxury of no competition whatsoever, so it is happy to spread its wings and gather all the abundant sunlight around it. Great strategy, and set to confound you.
I bet by the time you get a summer flush of growth on this one, you will observe some behavior you like. Let your plant go dormant, hopefully you will decide on its permanent home and put it in the ground, and next spring before the buds break, make your pruning decision. Or not. Another growing season with your encouragement may be worthwhile before exercising your editorial skills.
Post a Reply to this Thread
More Trees, Shrubs and Conifers Threads
-
Please ID
started by KimmyMZ
last post by KimmyMZMay 19, 20234May 19, 2023 -
Please help identify these 2 trees
started by erez_lrn
last post by erez_lrnMay 17, 20232May 17, 2023 -
Privacy Tree/Hedge for Maryland?
started by JeffR47
last post by JeffR47Jun 20, 20231Jun 20, 2023 -
Harry Lauder\'s Walking Stick sudden problem
started by jgoodma1
last post by jgoodma1May 21, 20230May 21, 2023 -
Harry Lauder\'s Walking Stick sudden problem - more info
started by jgoodma1
last post by jgoodma1May 21, 20230May 21, 2023