It looks like "Fasciation". Check out some of these for illustrations and explanations. Kim http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/fascia.shtml http://wimastergardener.org/?q=fasciation Here is a link that might be useful: Fasciation

What exactly is said about witch's broom in bamboo? Normally a "witch's broom" would refer to a genetic mutation or "sport", usually a dwarf, usually in conifers. Witch's brooms can be propagated to create new varieties of conifers. So I'm just curious as to what is meant here by the term.

Hi Coralbelle, Here is a bit of advice about witches brooms. First don't collect them in summer. We won't get into all the technical aspects but the broom harvest doesn't start around here until usually December. I actually just finished grafting a new broom yesterday. I received a call from a lady a couple days ago about witches broom growing on Cham. obtusa Gracilis that I have to pick up on Monday. This is the tail end of the conifer grafting season. The only specimens I would collect this summer are photos of them. It's tough to tell how the brooms turn out but they generally do replicate the mutation in the tree. I just graft them and use a wait and see attitude. Propagating them or other cultivars is technically easy enough but the after care has about 50 variables. A friend of mine had 1200 live out of 7000 Blue spruce grafts this year. His worst take in over 25 years and he can't figure out exactly what went wrong. A bitter dissapointment and huge financial loss as these plants were all sold. The opposite was nearly true last year with me. This year touch wood, I should be around the 90% or more mark this year depending on the species of tree. Certain species are more difficult than others and certain cultivars within that species are more difficult than others. If you do stop this summer (if that happens), I can show you exactly how it's done. As for the greenhouse in Inuvik, just some trivia I picked up from somewhere. I wouldn't want to pay that heating bill. How long did you live in Inuvik? Darren

The next thing to consider is how high up into the tree that broom may be. If it's more than head-high up into the branches, I really don't see an office manager cutting scions for us. Plus, would a non-expert really know what they're cutting? This looks like a job for a conehead, and I'm still contemplating doing the job. @Shastensis, how high off the ground is that broom? ~Dave