Red Oak
I came across this tree at the local nursery. It’s in a 15-gallon container marked Red Oak. It caught my eye because it flares nicely at the base and has a little wiggle in the trunk [Fig.1, Fig.2]. The taper is decent up until about eight inches, then not. The tree stands about six feet tall [Fig.3].
When I see trees like this one I always think, I’ll just cut it down to size and new branches will grow and it will be amazing. But it can’t be that simple, it never is. So I’m left with questions.
- Is this tree worth the investment? Would the characteristics I see in this tree be dismissed by a more practiced and discerning artist?
- Is the trunk chop a legitimate approach? Ever? If not, what is the right approach? Keep walking?
Italian Cypress
Same scenario here, same questions. The base is stunning up until about 12 inches, then no taper [Fig.4]. The tree stands about 12 feet tall [Fig.5].