Chapter 43 Journal Tree 3: A Japanese Holly
The subject material here is a Steeds holly (Ilex crenata ‘Steeds’) I purchased for $50 in a local garden center.
43.1 Mid-March, 2021
Original photo by Dan Johnson.
Left: the unpruned tree is about 4 feet high, in a standard 5-gallon container. Right top, middle, bottom: closer view of the basal flair from three sides.
Original photo by Dan Johnson.
Top and root pruning. Top left: I removed 3/4 of the top growth to make it easier to handle the tree when combing out roots. Top right: the root ball right after removing it from the pot. Before trying to comb out any roots, I cut the bottom half of the root ball off with a pruning saw. Middle left, right, and bottom left: three views of the roots after combing them out with a root hook and fingers. Bottom right: the bottom of the root ball.
Original photo by Dan Johnson.
The root ball of the holly spread out over a mound of new soil in a dishpan. As new soil was added, sections of the roots were lifted up and soil pushed under to raise them as close to the surface as possible.
Original photo by Dan Johnson.
The fully replanted Steeds holly, showing 4 different views. Once this shrub recovers and begins replacing the top growth, I will choose the front and and main scaffold branches.