Hi Patrick, If you want to keep the violets the same size, remove a row or two of the outer leaves. This will more than likely leave a bare stalk which you can pot down by removing some of the rootball and setting it deeper into the pot. If you put it in a larger pot the violet will grow larger. Think of the violet like a Japanese Bonsai. If it is pruned and put into a small container it more than likely won't grow huge. Good Luck, Fred in NJ

Thanks for the comment. The Symptoms are perplexing. The affected trees are multi-trunked and have similar symptoms. Bark has loosened and fallen off and there is no growth on some trunks while other trunks on the same tree are not affected. I assume cause is lack of moisture. I have since water deeply and pruned the affected trunks. There is now vigorous new growth is at the base and along the lower ends of the affected trunks. But the new growth along at the outer reaches has curled substantially, becoming bronze-like and in some cases has completely collapsed but still remains on the tree. I am going to submit a root sample to the county authorities for pathological examination.

My favorite smaller tree (full grown less than 10 ft. tall & almost as wide with few open long spreading small branches) is my Staghorn Sumac. Previous home owners brought it from Iowa & planted it here.Though I live in high desert zone 7 @ 5280 ft. (Albuquerque, NM) this tree must be nearly 50 years old & looks very oriental in shape & colors many different shades that change daily beautifully in the Fall before the leaves fall. It can put out a 'baby'/shoot from roots that occasionally come up from the main tree but are readily killed- or pulled & given to so many that want a start of it!! I see it is now available in the local nurseries also. It shows best out by itself where the oriental shape shows best! There are clusters of 'berry-like' tips on the branches that I was told the Native Americans would make a 'lemonade- like' drink from it (it is NOT poisonous like some sumac varieties).

I think you should remove it and plant something native to your region. Bella...the word is hardy not hearty! Joe... Bark is the trees skin protecting it's insides from being attacked or damaged,you should seal the open area so insects/disease cannot enter the raw wood and destroy whole tree. Google different types of sealants that can be painted on,or maybe wrapped. With many fast growing invasive trees if you trim branches back on the healthy side it will most likely send new starts off of the trunk. If the tree loses it's leaves(deciduous) trimming is best done when it is dormant.It is best to cut them back relatively far so when it comes out of it's dormant stage it will not be so heavy on one side and possibly break again, or even tip over becoming uprooted. When new shoots begin to grow clean/clear off ones you do not want to continue growing,clipping them off all the way flush with bark. Leaving one or two to grow on damaged side just below damaged area.Continue watching for any new ones you do not want to become a large limb removing them as soon as they start to sprout,also continue trimming side without damage. This constant clipping/pruning will help tree to eventually level/balance out. Hope I explained it OK. I hope your tree lives if not maybe then replace it with something native to area, Good luck