general trunk chop question

general yes, but i am asking in regards to a nine-bark i am working on...

after last fall's trunk chop, i am only seeing new buds push from the base of the tree...

would rubbing some of those off now (in the beginning stages of "push") encourage some to maybe pop higher on the trunk ?

pros ?

cons ?

one "con" i can think of is that removing some may take away some necessary energy... ?

thanks in advance

stupid question ?

anyone ?

After a severe thing like trunk chop I would leave it be.

Kevin, not a stupid question but I think the answer varies with the species... and I don't have any experience with ninebark specifically (I think Fiona has one and may have advice).

Most single-trunk deciduous trees will sprout somewhere below the chop, leaving a certain amount of die-back. On the other hand, I've had a beech (Fagus grandifolia) sprout so intensely right at the chop that it looked like it was wearing a crown of pointy buds.

But I've seen some shrubs (like blueberry, Vaccinium sp.) and shrubby small trees (Amur maple, Acer ginnala, a sad story of mine) sprout at the base and grow those preferentially, giving up on the upper growth completely.

Since ninebark is definitely a shrub, I'd rub 'em off.

Let us know what happens either way!

Anita

i did not know that ninebark was considered a shrub...
it was a 6-7' tall tree when i bought it
none-the-less, thanks for the reply anita !

because the bark is the main feature, and it actually had an impressive base, i chopped it to about about 12-16" tall hoping for a tree close to that, or a bit taller, in height...

and to be honest i am a bit afraid of rubbing off too much and losing the tree, but at this stage of spring here in zone 5b i wonder if i can get away with it and be assured more will pop... ?

any thoughts on that ?

fiona ?
any advice ?

a couple pics of mine are included within this thread
https://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t5217-physocarpus-opulifolius?highlight=Physocarpus+opulifolius

In my experience Kevin,suckered from the base and roots is a sign of a trees last ditch effort to live. Apple trees are noted for growing sprouts at the base when stressed.
Just about every hornbeam I've collected has done the same. I don't even consider wasting time on those anymore.
I've never dealt with nine bark before so maybe the do this naturally. But I wouldn't expect much. Sorry.

damn mike... but that may make sense...
i rubbed off some of the lowest ones yesterday but will leave the rest...

if the highest one takes off with strength and vigor, i may be ok, eh ?

i hope

maybe just not as tall (initially) as i would have liked...