Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine

Ornamental cultivars begin when an alert plantsperson notices a tree, or part of a tree, with a unique growth characteristic (i.e. unusual leaf color, unusual leaf size or weeping growth habit). These atypical plants or shoots arise through a genetic mutation.  Buds or cuttings from the plants are then grafted onto standard trees and, if they remain true to form and have horticultural merit, they ultimately make their way into the nursery trade.  Just as the original genetic mutation occurred to produce the unique character, occasionally a reverse mutation occurs and portions of the plant 'revert' back the species' normal growth.  Some of the more common examples of reversions occur in dwarf spruces and variegated plants such as harlequin maple.  In the case of dwarf spruces, homeowners will often describe "a tree growing out of my tree."

When a reversion occurs, it's time to follow the advice of the wise TV sage, Barney Fife, and "Nip it, nip it in the bud!"  Examine the tree and determine where the reversion originated and prune off the reverted shoots.  Often, reverted shoots grow more vigorously than the rest of the tree.  If left un-pruned, reversions will dominate the tree and the homeowner who paid extra for a dwarf Alberta spruce or variegated maple is eventually left with a plain old white spruce or Norway maple.