Forgot to check the email button, that's all...

I wouldn't just top the barrel off, if that is what you're asking. The cells on the trunk are not meant to be buried and I'd lift the tree and add the media to the bottom. This would also give you a chance to tend to any roots with issues. BTW, I'd save this chore for spring before bud break.

tj

Potting up, instead of repotting, ensures your plant will be growing under the limitations imposed by root congestion in the main root mass and the effects of soil collapse or the hardening associated with aged soils. Once your plant, at any stage in it's life, reaches approximately the state of root congestion such that the root/soil mass can be lifted from the pot intact, the plant will be limited by that root congestion until/unless it is corrected by the grower.

Bad: {{gwi:6332}}

Good: {{gwi:6334}}

Better: {{gwi:2314}}

During a repot, you'll bare root the plant, correct any root issues (roots growing back toward the center of the root mass, girdling/ encircling/ j-hooked roots, roots growing downward from the base of the trunk and any roots growing upward), and hopefully repot into a soil that allows you to water correctly.

Of course, if there is a bridge between the soil in the pot and the earth (which acts as a giant wick), your barrel becomes a small raised bed, from a hydrologic perspective.

Al

Yes, exactly what Al said.

It might be some heavy work to re-pot the maples, but I recommend you maintain the roots and, most importantly, replace the old mix with a mix that *won't* collapse over the next few years. A durable and porous mix will also fall away from the roots more readily, which means much faster, much easier, and much less traumatic re-pottings in the future.

I just re-potted 5 maples, and trimming roots was no problem because they were in Gritty Mixes and 5-1-1 mixes.

Josh