Large Crab Apple

[Watto]

Because I am slightly mad I dug a very large crab apple in 2016. It took ages to dig it out from between concrete, rocks and around water pipes and gas mains it was one of the most difficult I can remember. If I recall there might have been some course language.
Its history is simple, dug in 2016, chain saw trimmed in 2017, carving commenced in 2018 and this year it is in an appropriately sized pot. The problem with really large bonsai is that you need someone to give you a hand when repotting time comes around and so a couple of weeks ago I co-opted my darling wife to give me a hand (and she did a great job). Only about another 5 or 10 years before it looks like a real bonsai, but it is on the way.
This is too big to move around for a photo shoot so the photos were taken in situ so please excuse the poor angles.

[melbrackstone]

crikey, that is a monster! Well done to you and your wife! I've given up co-opting hubby to help, since every tree he's helped me with has died.

On another note, my apple trees have all flowered, but the crab apples have never done so in my garden. Thanks for showing me pics of one that's flowering. :/

[MJL]

Thanks for the story ... I haven’t tried Ducks Ln beer but the tree could be the duck’s guts in years to come!


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[tgward]

you've done the hard yards and now the rewards come -very nice trunk line- do you have a plan to soften that straight trunk chop cut - -- I thought it was caps off and bottle half full for photos

[Watto]

Thanks Mel, the red leaves and bright red flower buds and then the pink flowers all look good at this time of year.
Mark the Ducks Lane lager is by the local brewer so it is only right that I support them.
Tgward - the 2D images don't really show the full story. I think this is the straight bit you were referring too so I took a couple more photos to show another aspect. However I do need to unstraighten that just a tad.

[greg27]

Because I am slightly mad I dug a very large crab apple in 2016. It took ages to dig it out from between concrete, rocks and around water pipes and gas mains it was one of the most difficult I can remember. If I recall there might have been some course language.

Sounds like perfectly normal behaviour to me

[Sno]

. Where do you get these tiny beers from ?

[MJL]

. Where do you get these tiny beers from ?

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[Watto]

Hey Sno, I can remember the old days of the 250 ml Tooheys, the throw downs. Ahh the good old days!
Anyway, this is a free add for the local brewery.

[jehsiboi]

What a monster! Brilliant stock I'm jealous.

[Watto]

I was out and about today and noted the flowers were out and that bees were active in those flowers. I tried to take a photo of the flowers and bees but it is only mildly successful.

[melbrackstone]

It's so good to see bees! I saw some in my azaleas yesterday, first time in years! I'm hoping that by stopping the spray for ants we will get more of the bees back.

[TimS]

It's so good to see bees! I saw some in my azaleas yesterday, first time in years! I'm hoping that by stopping the spray for ants we will get more of the bees back.

I’m trialling a pelletised systemic this year to control the usual onslaught on spring aphid I get without having to spray. So far the results have been excellent so I think I’ll go with this option from now on. The bees love the linden in the back garden so I don’t like spraying if I can avoid it

[KIRKY]

Tim, be aware during hot summer days bees seek water to cool down and will rest/or drink water from moss on bonsai trees. This will kill them using systemic pallets. I leave water trays/saucers out for them and no longer use systemic pesticides.
Cheers
Kirky

[greg27]

I've had good results with neem oil on sap suckers, which apparently doesn't harm bees.