Thanks mike and hairmetal! I think I'll try that. Ken - I'm not exactly sure how to respond to your post, honestly I'm finding it a little condescending, but maybe that's just how it's reading across the internet as someone that doesn't know you. =) But in responds to your "strikes", firstly, I know trees do not thrive in pots (although as I've understood, technically it can be done with the right media/care/proper drainage, even if this would cause it to not grow to full size), as I said in my initial post I put it in there for the time being to see if it would even survive at all as we a: weren't sure where in the yard we would put a tree that would grow as big as it can and we wanted to figure out the best spot for it, and b: we didn't want to dig up the yard if it wasn't going to make it in the first place. Secondly, I'm not sure what gave the impression it's in a high peat media, it's actually not. It's in a homemade blend of mostly pine bark fines in which I added a bit extra perlite to in order to aid a little with the drainage. Thirdly, the particular pot it's in has extra holes drilled into it for added drainage as well, because I was aware that fast drainage was important even if this was just a temporary place for it. If it's useful to know the root flare is only about 2 inches below the surface (maybe that's another indicator that it's some kind of dwarf cultivar?), I planted it a little deeper than normal as it was very floppy/wilted when I got it and it helped it stay more structured, again figuring that if it survived I would be re-potting it into the yard at a normal level at that point anyways. Either way, I'm quite happy to keep it for as long as it's alive, but thanks for the suggestion that I just throw it out. =)

I had deer destroy, and I mean "destroy," a number of my little conifers--white pine and Norway spruce. This may not be buck rubbing as such, but they thrashed these things with their antlers, in several cases, right to the ground--there was only a half inch stub left. You need to fence these--don't fool around with any soap or anything. I see no advantage to doing anything with these trees. It is my opinion that trying to tie up any side branch is a waste of time. The trees will do what they want, and that will be best. Either they will sprout a new leader from a bud or tiny twig near the center of the tree and it will grow into a new leader, or the tree, all on its own, will decide that it wants a side branch to take over. If that is what the tree wants, it will move that side branch into an erect position all by itself and in the end it will be as straight as if it were tied up. Just leave these trees alone, except for protecting them, and after two or three years, cut off any duplicate leaders. --Spruce

Hi Ken, I asked my question about pruning last year. So I'm in the club of leaving it and letting it grow that way it wants!! Yeah, I've been l-a-z-y about getting to the crap growing around all of my trees. With my 2 dogs, I'm hesitant to use Round up and such, so it'd be a matter of trimming/pulling out all of the grass/weed growth. cheers, Greenrr

second pic ... lattice behind... about half way up the lattice.. on OLD WOOD ... not fresh growth .... tie it securely to the stake ... do NOT cut off multiple leaders at this time ... every needle is a food making machine ... at this point in life ... it needs them all ... maybe next fall ... pic one ... peat retains too much water ... conifers like a drink and then near full drainage... the difference between wet peat and dry peat based media can be double or triple the weight of the pot .. in trees.. wet vs dry might be 1/4 ... because a vast majority drains right thru ... the best example of pre made mix.. would be to use a cactus mix ... there should be many posts about potting media .... when you got it.. was it bare root or what.. i dont know if i would repot this time of year.. will defer to others ... with the media right to the top of the rim.. how do you apply water ???? ken