I assume from your initial post here that your tree was not staked? I find that a bit unusual but certainly possible - most growers (and therefore retail nurseries) will present these as staked items, otherwise their tendency is to form a large drooping and spreading mound.

If not currently staked and as long as the "leader" is still very flexible, you can do so now. Generally the practice is to stake these to a predetermined height (about eye level is most common), then allow the leader to cascade over and begin a real weeping habit. The result is a plant that very much resembles "Cousin It" in leaf. An alternate option is to train the leader horizontally (will need a continuing support system) much like a weeping Atlas cedar.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:766064}}

I thought I explained how to do this in the previous post. If you didn't understand email me and I will go over it again.

As gardengal48 inferred in her post I too have never seen a Weeping Larch for sale in a nursery that wasn't staked. It is the only way to display this conifer if you want to sell a lot of them. Not usually a real eye catcher if laying in the prostrate growing habit in a nursery lot.

If your design is right they can be grown in the prostrate habit and be very attractive with companion conifers and deciduous plants.

Dave

First, thanks for your replies (also to those of you who replied on the other thread I piggy-backed on). I see now how I was very unclear in my post. My tree WAS staked when I purchased it from the nursery, and still is in my backyard. The "leader" (I assume thatÂs the main branch/trunk?) is tied to a stake and only just beginning to weep over at 5 feet, so I donÂt need to worry about retraining, etc. At least I donÂt think I do.

What I guess IÂm meaning to ask, is how this particular method will look in a few years. Some of the larches IÂve seen in photos are so much fuller than others. Is this from pruning? a different staking method (the one I mentioned reading about  KenÂs  sounded fairly complex)? or do these trees always fill out like that with age? To my inexperienced eye, I just canÂt imagine how one leader can end up so full of needles and branches. IÂm sorry, IÂm finding it very difficult to spit my question out.

Again, I can totally see why you were confused by my post. Gardengal, you have been very helpful with your mention of the Atlas cedar, I think thatÂs what I may have been envisioning. Judging by the responses here, though, it would appear that this method may not be required to get a full and beautiful weeping larch? I suppose I was just looking forward to a creative project.

Jen

hi jen ... got really tied up over the weekend ... sorry for the delay ....

thanks for starting a new post.. and even titling it so that others might search for it ...

here is the old post with the pix back in ...

let me/us know if there are other questions .. ken

------>>>>>XXXXXlots of pix .... beware ... here is art defined ... this is not a science .... first .. let me disabuse you of ever having a straight leader ..... here i have painted on an idea of what the trunk on this one looks like ... the top of the poles is about 12 feet ... i am getting a bit carried away here... why not ... ignore the slip and slide ..

{{gwi:766065}}

also note that there are two weepers sold under the name larix xxx pendula ... there is Larix decidua 'Pendula'
and Larix kaempferi 'Pendula' .. with good pix Resin can ID yours for you ... though it really doesnt make a difference ... the only reason i noticed .... is i realized that my two plants were different.. doing different things at different times .... go figure on that ... though it is basically inperceivable to most people ..

note the posts.. and the big rope ... clothes line actually .. i like it big.. because it calls me to it.. i tighen and loosen them often .... and big rope is easy to untie and retie ...

{{gwi:268907}}

look close and see the last tie... a piece of nylons way near the tip ... about 3 inches from the top of LAST years growth .. i do NOT tie this years growth EVER ... you will break it .... and that is why the trunk bends back and forth over time ...

{{gwi:766066}}

BTW .. this tree is extremely pliable .... you can bend old growth.. within reason rather easily .. and you can bend it a bit.. then wait a few weeks and bend a bit more.. etc .. no one says it HAS TO BE bent all at once ... or you can let one go down.. and start another up ...

{{gwi:766067}}

as i said.. this is a 10 year project.. you will end up with something so UNIQUE .. that garden friends will drool ... i have seen some one basically do what i am doing.. about 8 feet apart ... and then connect the two poles.. and train it into an arc ... lol .. now that is getting carried away ...

{{gwi:764462}}

the rest are extra pix for you to study .. and get some ideas about what to do ... good luck

ken
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Wow, beautiful trees, Ken! Thank you, thank you for taking the time to repost those pics, they are most helpful! Although I think I've decided that I want my larch to max out at around 6 feet (or so), seeing what youÂve done with yours really helps me to understand what CAN be done, and how to go about it. That was exactly what I was hoping for. :)

well... mine go to about 6 to 8 feet... if you are standing on the porch ... or loooking above the railing ..... that was the idea of why to get them up so high ...

ken

I thought they looked much taller in some of the photos (which I also thought was really pretty), but I can see now how they might'n't be as tall as I thought.

I have a teeny tiny yard and planted a fairly short tree behind the larch. 6 feet might even be pushing it!

How "thick" do the leaders become over time? I love the twisted looking "trunks" in some of the older trees I've seen pictured... or would these be a different variety? I've been unable to determine exactly which one I have (have the tag somewhere, just haven't found it yet). Yours are 10 years old... will they ever be able to support themselves, or do they just become heavier and require stronger stakes?

the trunks are thickening....

but i am struggling with looking at the stakes ....

someday i might get tired of the hardware and cut them down ... nothing is sacred in my yard.. and if it irritates me enough.. i chop it down .... life is too short ...

one of my garden theorems is: if it bugs you get rid of it ...

and another is: buy something that makes your toes curl ... and when it gets too big get rid of it .... instead of 'settling' for something that fits ....

if you spent 50 bucks on a tree .. and it only stays 10 years in your yard .. but it brings you enormous pleasure for that 10 years.. isn't that better than buying a plain old green tree that fits the spot.. wasn't it worth 5 bucks a year ....

here is a weeping juniper that is bringing me much more pleasure with its staking .... Juniperus rigida 'Pedula'

{{gwi:766076}}

ken

I thought I was the only one who staked conifers. A lot of conifers look better staked then laying on the ground.

Only my opinion.

The J r.'P' will be a good focal point conifer in the years to come.

Dave

I just ordered one myself.

About the best tailored fit to a midwest garden when it's likely you won't have any Deodar Cedars. I did buy a 'Shalimar' though. I gotta find out for myself.

Ken as usual, you keep me laughing. Thanks!

Dax