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How to prune tree with multiple branches near the root to save trunk

2 years ago

My Podocarpus Gracilior has lost a lot of leaves but they are starting to grow back now. It doesn't look like it's going to fill the voids though, as I have been waiting for it to do its own thing.

I wonder if it requires some pruning, as I suspect that the main trunk is not getting the resources it requires because there are quite a few rather large branches near the root. These branches are lush, while the main trunk is sparse.

I don't know much about gardening and I am afraid that cutting off these branches might make it worse. I am hoping for some advice on whether I should cut them. Or any other way to help this tree grow more leaves on its main trunk?

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Comments (3)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years ago
what is your plan with this thing.. will it be going on mother earth.. or remain potted forever???

as you can see here.. they are not small plants for pots: https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffcm&q=Podocarpus+Gracilior&iax=images&ia=images

the potential lifespan for this conifer.. is counted in decades ... i suspect you have some instant gratification issues with wanting to prune it.. to shape it ... whats the hurry ...

lets figure out why it lost its leaves previously ... how you can do better ... and lets leave the pruning shears in the house for a year or two ... and best of all ... lets figure out how to plant it in mother earth.. or how to properly get you set up with it living in a pot long term ...

more facts please

ken
klbytec thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Sara Malone Zone 9b
2 years ago
That's just the way that they grow - they are rather weedy. If you plant it in the ground it will soon be so thick that you won't see the trunk. You can hack these back pretty aggressively - they are often used for hedging. I've also seen them grown in large pots, albeit much larger than the one that it is in now.
klbytec thanked Sara Malone Zone 9b
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klbytec
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Thanks for the replies.

I am planning to keep the plants in pots. I have five of them, only this one grew like this. Others have tall vertical tree shape.

And only this one had leaves fallen out. The leaves turned brown but the branches were green, so according to what I read, I purchased Calcium, Magnesium, And Iron Plant Supplement and it seemed to have worked. That was in August. No leaves have turned brown after some use, but also very slow and sparse new growth to fill the void, which is what worries me.

I am hoping to:

1. fill the void with new leaves.

2. keep this tree growing vertically and not horizontally

Is there anything I can do now, or just wait for Spring time? Thanks!

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