Live Oaks and Boxwoods

Thanks y'all! I'll update pictures soon.

Michael T wrote:I'm so upset to learn that box is dead. I saved a pic of it to serve as inspiration for a box I collected last spring. That's was one of the better boxwoods I'd seen. If the foliage had filled out on it, it would have been a stunner.

Michael, I trimmed that tree so it would be a little on the sparse side so you could see the movement in the branches. One problem with boxwoods is that they go from "clean and refined" to "bush in a pot" in about 3 days! They are constant work for sure.

Thanks Andre and Tona. Since neither boxwoods nor live oaks grow with a central leader it's a good match! I have found a pair of boxwoods that are UNBELIEVABLE... now I just have to talk someone out of them!

Today, 4/8/13

Looks really nice, Russell. Bring it to the next meeting and show it off. I have an old boxwood, I wish I could make it look as good as yours.

John

Well, it's big and HEAVY!! I may put it in the regional show. We need something big outside.

Looking good Russel.

There are a few trees I am obsessed with.....This is one of them. I love this tree Russell!!!! Great job!!!!

Thanks for keeping us updated.
Sam

Russel it looks soo good it looks delicious!! So crisp and green.

I prefer it with the mass of foliage than when you thinned it out.

Is it really that big?

Love and light

Thanks Sam!

Andre, the table it's on is 40 inches wide. The Japanese are very good at making big pots that are strong and lightweight, the Chinese are not! This old Canton pot is very heavy empty.

Yes, I understand what you mean about looking better thinner. That's a problem with shrubs like boxwood, you go from bonsai to bush-in-a-pot very quickly. Of course it's spring here, so this is the biggest push of the year. Once the new growth hardens I'll go through it and remove all of the leaves that are at the base of the new branches and thin those too as needed. That will be the time I get to remove the wire, which is on every branch. Not looking forward to that. Oh well, if I don't get to it before then it can be summer work.

Hello, to Russel along with his big, heavy, stunning boxwood!

Russell Coker wrote:... ...Of course it's spring here, so this is the biggest push of the year. Once the new growth hardens I'll go through it and remove all of the leaves that are at the base of the new branches and thin those too as needed... ...

Spring here too!
Novice here, Russel May I ask the purpose of this thinning? Also can you specify "all of the leaves", I mean at what extend? I am growing two buxus microphylla and your guidelines (as well as Joe's) are greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance!

I'm going to have to take a couple of branches and show you that way... it will be easier to see than read!

I snagged this picture off of facebook. Don't know whose tree it is but this is what I'm working towards....



Right now I have too many branches, but that's ok. As the tree evolves they give me plenty of options as I get closer to this goal.

Now I can understand what you mean.
Thank you so much.
Do you mind if I post here photos of my two boxwoods for you to see and comment? Or should I start a new topic?

I'm happy for anyone to add... just don't ask me for a virtual design, I'm doing good to be typing!

Russell,

Fantastic trees! I have a large boxwood that is in a 5 gal pot and its time to start the root reduction. I think mine is Kingsville or Morris Midget. Can you comment on how much of my very compacted rootball I can cut off? I am located in middle Georgia with climate similar to yours. Thanks!

Frank

Your tree is looking very good this year.
Having Boxwood-envy in the northern part of the south ,
Todd

[quote="Russell Coker"]

I'm going to have to take a couple of branches and show you that way... it will be easier to see than read!

Hey Russell, care to post some photos of the above statement? No need for words if it's easier;)

Cheers!

Your tree look natural and nice too, I like it very much.

I'll try to get some pictures posted this weekend!