Knowledgebase
how and when to prune a smokebush to become tree-shaped #885576
Asked September 17, 2024, 1:19 PM EDT
Kent County Michigan
Expert Response
Transplanting it in October is a good idea. However, you may want to move it before the 20th so that you can water it repeatedly before you leave.
When you transplant it, I would remove all the limbs except the one you think will be the best trunk for your tree. Select the strongest, most upright branch. Remove the rest. I would stake the limb that you want to be the trunk.
Here is a link that explains how to plant a tree:
https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_New%20Tree%20Planting_0621.pdf
Key points from that link: Make sure you do not plant it too deeply. See how they stake the tree in the drawing. You want to do something similar, on a much smaller scale, to encourage the branch you select to become the "leader" and grow into a trunk.
Next spring, your smoke bush is going to put out a lot of growth. You need to let some of the side branches grow the first season. The branches are important because the leaves are providing nutrients to the tree and helping it grow stronger. If you remove all the lower branches, it may put out a bunch of growth higher up and become too top heavy and start to bend. You will have to gauge how strong the main trunk is before you start removing the limbs that want to grow outwards and low on the trunk. (If a side branch starts to compete with the leader--it's growing very tall and upright--you can cut it back.)
Here is a link to explain pruning of young trees:
https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Pruning%20Young%20Trees_0621.pdf
This should get you started. Feel free to write back next season if you need more guidance.