Dual leader - remove or cut back?

11 years ago

With all the spruces I've had with terminal leader dieback this one throws out two leaders.

I was originally just going to remove one all together in a week or so but then thought I may impact leader growth with the wound trying to heal itself.

Otherwise I can cut it back 2/3rds and hope it forms a branch collar. Only concern is that after a year of growth it will be even tighter in there to get a nice cut.

Horse a piece or is there a direction you'd go?

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Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
will you be doing it on a ladder..or on two feet ...???

if you can get in there .... as low as you can ... without damaging the other ...

in other words.. i would leave a lot more if i was hanging from a ladder or using an extended pole saw ...

never heard of your theory of healing will impact the other??? ... did i miss said theory .. or did you dream it up???

ken
wisconsitom
11 years ago
Whaas, think I'd just cut it back to last year's side branches. Then again, I could be wrong! You can always get it later if it didn't slow down and behave.

+oM
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gardener365
11 years ago
Confuse it: cut off the stronger of the two! (meant to be a joke - but why not)

Rub off any new growth/buds that arise for the next year or two. They always show up.

Dax
bengz6westmd
11 years ago
Whaas, I'd just cut one halfway back -- it should subjugate to a side branch.
whaas_5a
Original Author
11 years ago
I thought about doing that (leaving it after I cut it back).

What do you guys think about the crotch angle?
wisconsitom
11 years ago
Truth be told, we can't really see that feature....or at least I can't. But having done a quite a few of these myself, I just don't worry about that on spruce. As long as the cut one is sufficiently subordinated, it will not give you trouble (Says I).

+om
alley_cat_gw_7b
11 years ago
Hey Whaas, Keep us posted on what you end up doing. Ive got the same going on a 'Sester Dwarf'. Like to see what route you decide on.

Al