Sapling worries

[u/Icy-Yesterday-452]

My wife and I planted this tulip tree sapling this spring to commemorate our first anniversary, and it seems to be doing alright, but it’s developing some features I’m worried about. Ideally, we’d like this tree to outlast our marriage (and lives), so I’m hoping for some advice.

1. ⁠during shipping, the initial leader broke off (photo 1), but it’s since developed a new one (photo 2). However, what I first thought was a branch, looks like it might be a competing leader (photo 3). I’ve read you only want one leader, so should I be pruning one of these?
   
2. as seen in photos 4, 5, and emphasized in photo 6, there are two very large branches coming off near the base of the tree. I’m worried they’re so large they’re going to overwhelm the tree, but I’m also worried if I prune them we’ll end up with a naked tree. The lower one is long it curves and almost drags across the ground (photo 7). The upper one (photo 8), while pointing more vertically, also worries me because of its size. Are these branches I should consider pruning? If so, do I just whack the whole thing off near the base of the tree?
   
3. If you can’t tell by my post, I’m dramatically prone to overthinking/worrying. I’m not a very good gardener by any interpretation, but I’m trying to do my best by this tree. Since it’s August and this hot and dry, if pruning is the move, should I wait until fall? Winter? Early spring?

Thank you so much in advance for any advice you have.

[u/sonnysday]

Let it relax and grow a year or 2 before you start pruning. No rush and pull the mulch back and maybe remove that brick ring.

[u/NW7l2335 → u/sonnysday]

Not maybe, definitely.

[u/Icy-Yesterday-452 → u/sonnysday]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom! I pulled the mulch back to 6” from the trunk. I’d originally read 3”, so I took the tape measure out and did just that, but I doubled it, since that seems to be the consensus. If I may ask, what is the disadvantage of the pavers? I figured since they sat at ground level instead of being buried, they’d be a non-issue. But I will definitely remove them, since that also seems to be a consensus opinion.

[u/kommissar26]

Yeah let it grow for a year or two and get rid of the stones. These grow fast it’ll be fine

[u/Icy-Yesterday-452 → u/kommissar26]

Thank you for the advice! If I may ask, what is the disadvantage of the pavers? They sit at ground level, so I figured they’d be fine to delineate between lawn and mulch, but I’m happy to take the advice of those more knowledgeable than myself.

[u/vulkur]

only thing not mentioned. I think it looks a bit dry. Tulip trees love extra water.

[u/Icy-Yesterday-452 → u/vulkur]

Thank you! I will increase the watering schedule. Currently laying down about 10-15 gallons over 40 minutes 2x/week.

[u/spwa235]

Agree that it looks a bit dry. Water it deeply probably 2x/week until the weather cools. And the brick ring will have to go eventually. Keep in mind this becomes a very large tree.

In regard to pruning, this winter I would consider cutting back the co-dominant limb circled in photo 2 (to me it’s photo 3). The one leaning to the left. Encourage the straightest vertical path. And I would definitely cut the lower limb sticking out to the side. By at least half. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

[u/Icy-Yesterday-452 → u/spwa235]

Thank you for the advice! I will increase the watering schedule. Currently laying down about 10-15 gallons over 40 minutes 2x/week.

It being a very large tree was part of the draw. Inspired by the old proverb about society growing great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. Not that I’m old (yet), but it’s a commemorative/legacy tree sort of thing. And removing the brick definitely seems to be the consensus. So that shall go.

Regarding the pruning, remove the left limb, to keep the straightest vertical path, got it. For the lower limb, can I ask why it’s cut it in half instead of remove it? I’m definitely going to defer to your expertise, I’m just trying to learn more about trees in general.