AusBonsai

Great tree, I want it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks again for the input folks,

Happy with the trunk at this stage, the soil level is about 5cm below the pot rim so a bit more taper and thickness that can't be seen in the pic, I will be moving towards branch building using the techniques outlined on bonsai4me and pinching out a la the janapenese. This was the basis of the work I have done so far and I will pot this tree up as the buds swell this spring

Kez

I also prefer your back view as the front.

Everyone's ignoring the great big scar in the middle of the trunk. It's either a problem or a feature, depending on how you use it. To me, if the trunk is vertical, and the upper trunk is vertical, the massive damage doesn't really relate to this. One possibility might be to lean the trunk over a long way sideways, to the left or to the right depending on the way the roots leave the trunk, then shape the branches accordingly. If you lean it over to the left, you could possibly extend the scar down the trunk a bit, to make its lines a bit more harmonious with the run of the trunk.

Mind you, I always think that trees look better if they lean over dramatically anyway - it's only my opinion. Try some angles out when you next repot it, and see what looks interesting.

Best of luck,

Gavin

After seeing the work Neil (Shibui) has done with his trident for the shohin comp, and speaking with a few people re. timing I decided to do something I had been struggling to patiently wait and do... Once again bring on spring

Kez

Stunning!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

You should have no problem repotting trident at this time of year Kez.
I think I would have tilted it a little further to the right to give better overall balance. It would also make the 2nd section of trunk (scar to 1st branch) look far better

Lovely pot! Is that a happy pot?

I like the tree and it has certainly lifted immensely in the pot.
When you lose a few branches and get some ramification going next winters silhouette will improve yet again.
As you say though bring on spring cause with a bunch of new growth I reckon this tree will look very pleasing.

I'm not too familiar with scars that large but is it possible to fully close such a scar in time?
I've read and seen that a slight scrape to open the cambium around a scar can assist healing.
Be interested to hear some thoughts.

Thanks for the comments folks

Shibui,

Thanks for the advice, I took quite a bit of root off, and tried as much as i could to get some angle but was hesitant to take anymore off... maybe next pot I can get it over a little more. I also found it hard to balance the trunk and apex with the pot but I think it ended up quite good

Boics

Thanks for the compliment, yes it is a happy pot, I had this one made earlier this year. It's a big chunk of the reason I couldn't wait to get it potted up. As far as the scar goes, this has troubled me a little as well, but the cut seems to be callousing over and I think the callous is progressing so at this stage I'm not too worried. Worst case down the track I might carve but for now we will see what happens. I have also read about scrapping into the cambium and have considered this as well.

Thanks again

Kerrin

All wounds will heal over given enough time and enough growth. The more the tree grows the faster it will thicken and cover the cut area but at this stage we need to slow growth down somewhat so the branches don't get too coarse so healing will take a bit longer. Cuts do heal much quicker if they are sealed - not sure why but I have shown the difference between sealed and unsealed by treating half a big cut.
I have tried scraping the edges of the scar a couple of times but I don't think it made much difference. would be interested to hear what others have found.

Understand about the roots getting in the way of an ideal repot Kez. As you say, a little more next time

Thought I'd post up an update seeing as it's spring, this tree has been pinched over the last 2 or so week and is coming along well I think Cheers,

Kerrin