OT...Re: Topping trees for shaping

You prob. ought to post this to woody plants list, but....FWIW,
everything I've ever read about pruning trees is against topping them
- ruins the form.  When you make a pruning cut, new growth comes from
buds below the cut and in woody plants, they often seem to grow out
horizontally to the main stem, not straight up as the new growth of
many perennials will do from a pruning cut.

I would let yours grow a bit longer before worrying about it.  8' is
not very tall for a beech.

You could try staking the leader to straighten it...you'd probably
have to gradually tie it in straight as you could easily break it by
trying to do the straightening all in one go - would take a while to
achieve results, I'd think.  If it is strong enough to support the
extra weight, you could simply tie on a splint and gradually tighten
the 's' curves into the straight splint over a period of months.  If
it isn't strong enough to carry the weight of the splint, then guess
you'd have to use a stake in the ground.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
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----------
> From: diannthoma@netscape.net
> 
> In talking about the Tri-color Beech, I was reminded of a question
I have. Mine is about 8' tall but quite narrow.  I've seen them
around and they are more pyramid-shapped, which I think is nicer. 
Can you top a tree like this to get it to branch out without stunting
its leader?  Or, left alone, will it gradually assume a more normal
profile?
> 
> Also, the last 1 1/2' of the leader is crooked and bends quite a
bit in an S shape. If I can't top it, should I stake it?
> 
> Thanks,
> Diann

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