Pruning to create scaffolding branches (Ginkgos are stubborn)

16 years ago

I have two 'autumn gold' ginkgos about 12 to 15 feet (3.5 to 4.5 meters) tall. They were planted b&b back in 2002. I have, so far, pruned very lightly to remove only the largest branches that I was certain had to go in order to avoid large wounds when removing them later. I want to create a trunk and major limbs with a good "scaffold" structure, but find selecting the correct permanent limbs difficult. The trees have refused to grow dominant limbs with wide crotch angles in the correct locations. There are plenty of smaller branches to choose from, but I am concerned that if I select a limb that is not clearly dominant, it may never get large enough to contribute to the plants overall structure. Any guidance?

Thanks.

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Comments (4)

Embothrium
16 years ago
Typical-habit trees of this species normally don't make the permanent, heavy branches of the final crown structure until much taller than yours are now. The main chore with these is to cut out competing leads should any happen to appear on the developing specimen. However, the common cultivar you have selected seems to have a tendency to form a low, bushy (freely branched) head without a pointed top or dominating central leader. (Fastigiate cultivars also tend to make many small branches instead of the customary few large ones). So, it seems there may be least two reasons why trying to select and encourage large branches on yours could pointless or even undesirable. If they are fighting you they may be trying to tell you something.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
perhaps .... just maybe .... you are way ahead of the curve ...

planted in 2002 ... maybe well established by 2004 ... wait.. i just reread the facts ... a 12 to 15 foot tree.. may take more than a year or two to get 're-established' ....

i find it hard to believe that in the following 4 years... any tree would need all that much pruning .... and therein lies your problem .... it just isn't growing fast enough for your pruning desires ... lol ...

give it another 10 years.. to develop some structure... and maybe then it will need some pruning ...

just keep up the good work with removing branches that are dead ... or crossing... or a threat to your eyes .... give it some general shape .... but keep in mind. structure is years or decades down the line ....

on a recently transplanted tree ... and based on its size.... more leaves.. means more food... means more roots.. means faster re-establishment ... how long that takes on your specific trees is unknown ... you will know .... when they actually grow the estimated annual growth rate for that type of tree ...

trees will do what trees will do.. on their own time frame ... if a tree can live a couple centuries ... or a hundred years ... the 6 years you have had yours.. is not really all that much time .... patience is your only option ...

good luck

ken

PS: if you got a hankering for pruning.. and don't mind a road trip.. i always have way more pruning than i can actually get too .. lol
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rokoku
Original Author
16 years ago
OK then...I'll set aside my pruning tools for now and wait. Funny thing about these two is that they were both labeled 'autumn gold,' both appeared to be from the same lot (had the same type of burlap and were next to each other) and had almost identical forms. They were clearly different than the lanky 'fairmont' that were at the nursery at the same time. Now, after several years, one is bushy and shorter with upright branches (like I would expect) but the other is tall and thin with a strong leader and quite a few branches that weep slightly which seems more like what I would expect from a 'fairmont.'
Embothrium
16 years ago
All it takes is for someone to be hanging labels that doesn't know the trees apart or notice that they are hanging the same label on two different kinds while they are doing it (and afterward).

Pruning to create scaffolding branches (Ginkgos are stubborn)

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Embothrium

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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Pruning to create scaffolding branches (Ginkgos are stubborn)

Comments (4)

Embothrium

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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Embothrium

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