Author |
Message |
Brendankearns Rank attained: Rowan Tree

Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Posts: 133
|
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2016 5:59 pm Post subject: Tree shape |
|
|
Hi, I have a Cotoneaster tree growing about 4 years and doing well until the cows attacked it. As you can see from the photo they are the rights side of it, so wondering do I cut it back on the left to help keep its shape?
Description: |
|
Filesize: |
41.44 KB |
Viewed: |
11759 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
kindredspirit Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 10 Nov 2008 Posts: 2300 Location: Mid-west.
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Sue Deacon Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 2029 Location: West Fermanagh
|
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2016 10:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The big question is - are the cows going to keep attacking it?
Some years back we had to move a row of young trees that we had planted for someone, when their neighbouring farmer moved his young cows into the adjoining field. Wish we'd known that BEFORE we planted them!
_________________ Be humble, for you are made of earth
Be noble, for you are made of stars |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Brendankearns Rank attained: Rowan Tree

Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Posts: 133
|
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 8:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
Good point Sue, the farmer has only started to put cows into this field so best speak with him and move the trees back a bit if he plans to keep cows each year in the field.
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
|
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 10:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
Can you not put a fence around it?
_________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Brendankearns Rank attained: Rowan Tree

Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Posts: 133
|
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 10:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
There is a fence but I planted the tree right beside it not thinking about cows in the field. 2 options I have is to move the tree or extend the fence so cows can't reach the tree.
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Sue Deacon Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 2029 Location: West Fermanagh
|
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 10:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
It's surprising how far a cow can reach! The trees we planted were not against the fence, but 3'-4' away.
_________________ Be humble, for you are made of earth
Be noble, for you are made of stars |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Brendankearns Rank attained: Rowan Tree

Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Posts: 133
|
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 10:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
Sue, are you sure they weren't giraffes 😂
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
|
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 1:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I meant to say extending it. Like they do in horse fields. Enclosing the tree.
_________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
mdvaden Rank attained: Hawthorn Tree


Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 53 Location: Oregon, USA
|
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2017 6:43 am Post subject: Re: Tree shape |
|
|
Brendankearns wrote: | Hi, I have a Cotoneaster tree growing about 4 years and doing well until the cows attacked it. As you can see from the photo they are the rights side of it, so wondering do I cut it back on the left to help keep its shape? |
You could shorten the left side limb some.
My choice would be two sturdy stakes on each side, then pull it over toward a stake to remove the lean. Then it just needs to stay in that position for one year and possibly through a second spring. That forms a cast of wood in a new shape, then remove the stakes. That's what wire does to shape bonsai but it can be done with staking too.
_________________ M. D. Vaden of Oregon
Coast Redwoods
Medford Landscape Design & Trees
Medford & Rogue Valley Photographer |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Brendankearns Rank attained: Rowan Tree

Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Posts: 133
|
Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2017 7:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
Good call. Thank you
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|