I have a semidward Macoun that I planted 3 years ago. Despite what I thought was good pruning its central leader is about 3' tall, has two branches on one side, directly one above the other about 1' apart. They extend about 1' and then grow upward to about 4'. There are no branches on the other side.
What did I do wrong, and what can I do to fix it?
They guys here are pretty generous with pruning advice if you are able to post a picture of your problem.
Sounds like you could cut off those two branches, and a portion of the 3 foot leader to force it to develop a new branching system this grow season. A picture might help to confirm this.
Does the tree get full sun, all day? If not, there’s little you can do; it’s likely seeking what sun it gets and has developed branches in ‘that direction’ only.
If it gets full sun… that’s a tuff question. Seems there are techniques I’ve read about ‘scoring’ the bark here or there to induce growth from latent buds… I’ve never done it and don’t know how to advise.
What I can suggest will sound radical; but here goes: I’m not sure if, or how far your ‘central leader’ (or trunk) extends above the highest of the two branches? Or, if it ends ‘at’ the top branch… If you were to lop off ( a straight cut across) the top of the trunk, or leader a few inches below it’s highest point, then stub off those energy robbing ‘branches,’ the latent or dormant buds within the bark should spring into action around the top cut.
This season would be devoted to allowing 4 or 5 ‘water shoots’ to grow as much as possible from near that cut. This winter those shoots can be tied, or gently spread to form a better structure of limbs. Sounds crazy… but I’ve done it. The stored energy in the root system should have no problem invigorating the latent buds. But, I’d act fast – before too much energy is expended extending those two lopsided branches.
Second suggestion, given full sun: Bud graft several (2 or 3) potential branches onto its opposite side; you could even add additional varieties, or use buds from the same tree. But again, those buds would need full sun to mature into the limbs necessary to compete with those already established…
These are my ‘off the top’ suggestions and I hope others chime in 
" title="Wink" />
Viron, you considered more detail, like sun exposure. I totally failed to think of that. And it could be the real reason that one side has those two large branches, even larger than the leader, and nothing on the other side. Planted too close to something else that gobbles light?
Maybe MaryJane will comment further...
When the first leader gets a peak over the fence, so that it is getting more sunlight, I would expect it to start acting better. Might look a little lopsided until then, or even past then.
I would prune everything off except the very tallest upright if you don't mind lopsidedness. Or prune all except the central leader off if you are concerned about symetry. Force that thing to grow straight up and past the fence if you can.
Any chance you could take out a couple of fence boards for a year or two? That would help get more sun into it.
Idyllwild
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
John S
1 Guest(s)