I should think that a seedling will grow pretty much straight up - I got 3 seedling gingkos a few years ago - planted them in a group, WELL away from the house as I understand they won't flower for 15-30 years so I won't know until then if they are males or females, and I did NOT want females close to the house - they were tall skinny whips for about 3 years. They are now starting to have a branch structure, and look pretty good. The branching seems to start about 3-4' up the trunk, and to be more in an upward direction than out or downward. I may have to do some limbing up as they grow, so I can get the tractor around them when bush-hogging. I think it's more likely that grafted cuttings, especially taken from a branch, would tend to be confused about which way is up for a while. Seedlings, unless damaged/injured early on, should just grow - up.

Such a waste of a great cultivar. I wonder if there are graft issues as well (I'm assuming 'Princeton Sentry' is). So lets talk replacement. Looking for a slower grower up to 30' wide, otherwise a faster grower up to 20' wide (will have to have more upright branching in that case). The sky is the limit for height. Great fall color is a must. Regal Price Oak, Firebird Crabapple, Autumn Gold Ginkgo and Blackgum are all in the general vicinity. Good soil moisture and drainage...but is exposed to prevailing winds. I almost want to put a Gold Rush Dawn Redwood in there but they branch too low for this area.

alley cat It's an art form that you improve on over the years. Most conifers can be maintained to look and grow in a certain way for a time. When their time is up then you replace or move them to a different setting. Many have set up shop in a new area of my garden. I like to refer to this as (Green recycling). Long term planning for the future and care in the now keeps potential problems at a minimum and your garden responds giving you the best look possible. Dave

Frank, till the last year I didn't know, that we are so rich in conifers. As I went near to the breeders, there were opened new windows to an unknown conifer world. I'm pleased of your interest Zsolt