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This is a weakness of mine — something I need to work to improve — positioning the tree perfectly in the pot. I don’t mean positioning the tree perfectly according to some rule or mathematical ratio. I just mean actually tying the tree into the pot the way I had intended to! This autumn olive, Elaeagnus umbellata, will demonstrate.

Elaeagnus umbellata before repotting

In the image above, I have rotated the tree to show an approximation of my intended front. The tree is still very early in development, and while this repot will involve adjusting the front for aesthetic reasons, the main reason is that the soil in this pot has been draining too slowly. If not for the drainage issue, I might have left it in this training pot for a while longer.

Placed in the pot showing the correct front.

With the old soil removed, we have a better look at the nebari. I was just placing and photographing for fit, but the image above shows exactly the front I want. Most important in this placement are the surface roots. That fat one on the left is angled just right to show the width of the base without coming straight toward the viewer.

After repotting, but the front is not perfect

Somehow, despite my efforts to focus on the placement and position of the front, I got it wrong by just a few degrees. That minor difference, though, has the fat root on the left pointing toward us a bit too much. Where did I go wrong?!

With a little self-reflection, I think I can point to what messes me up. It’s the complexity of the three-dimensional form of a tree!

Trees are not simple forms. I can turn the front of a pot forward every time. But a pot is geometric, usually, and has a simple(r) shape and feet that can be used to identify the front clearly. A tree, on the other hand, has so many complexities. I was able to name the root placement as most important as I write about it here, but as I was positioning the tree and tying it in securely, I was, no doubt, distracted by a number of other elements.

But it’s ok. It’s not the end of the world. I can tweak this next time I repot. Hopefully by then I will have improved the branching and ramification of the tree… AND my skills at placing the tree as intended. This is something I will practice with every potting. Do you have any tips for me?