AusBonsai

Hi Noah, perhaps a chop here or lower? Any chance of bringing this tree with you if you come further south this winter?

craigw60 wrote:Hi Noah, you should leave it in a deeper pot for a couple of years while you are re-growing the top, then use a more shallow pot once the structure has been laid out a bit more.
Craig

I absolutely agree 100% with Craig, there should be no rush to reduce this tree into a final pot if you are building an apex, branch building and twigs yes, but not if you are trying to create mass. In fact if it were my decision, I would probably rootprune or in the very least change soil to a free draining granular mix and run the tree for 2-3 seasons in the same or a larger pot. Having seen the tree in person I can tell you that it is a very, very good piece of material with bark to die for and I look forward to seeing it evolve. But not in the next 20 minutes.

Cheers,
Mojo

same spot as i reckon mojo

Hi Noah, Mojo, cut lower maybe to that little branch on the right its so important to eliminate any no taper zone. In a decent sized pot as Mojo suggests you will replace this growth in no time and in a much more stylish way
Craig

This tree as of the 29th dec.the lower half was recently defoliated leaving the new branches and top to form. new leader at 1.4 metres and should be thick enough to cut this season low for taper. if im not happy how its all looking by winter i will cut lower and start again . atm i think it will look ok.

the tree as of today. The new leader was cut and a second leader started for taper that wont take long and i should be able to cut for final height by autumn. The photos dont do the new leader justice as i think it will blend in ok. another side branch started also. stub still at the back which will be removed in winter if i think the gap between one of the branches is too large i will graft next spring. If all goes wrong looking at it in winter i have a bud in the right spot just before the bend in the new leader to cut back to and start again i have a nice crackle white oval pot shallower than the current one i might put it in next winter
To

Hey thats looking great! Such a short space of time since you started as well. Impressive.

The top re-build is coming along very nicely Noah, but its still got a long way to go with regards to ramification, jut take it slowly building the crown too quickly is a mistake I have made too often.
Craigw

I missed this one first time around, really great tree!

I agree with Craig, take the top slowly and put in a lot of chops to add more interest.

Also I think that you should look into some root grafts.

Great work Noah
Was this tree with in QLD?

Ken

Hi Noah
the bloke who sold you this tree must be crazy.
You've got it developing nicely.
Now that you are at the elite level, Critique that you receive may seem a bit picky, however, my comments for what they are worth are:-
1) the tree's finished height should be roughy in line with the top of the horizontal plank in the Feb 2011 pic. To get this result it may require that chop and grow low down, that some of the other members refer to, as the transition of taper from the thick part of the trunk to the new top, seems to lack a bit of taper and looks too long, if you know what I mean.
When in full leaf you won't notice, but winter will tell all, as you know with the top of my Maple.
I'd still give it a good rootprune, but would leave in a deep pot till you've refined the top
cheers
dave

I did end up repotting this guy into a shallower pot and growth has still been very good. just got a light prune today. the top graft is growing well so it should take otherwise there is a small branch growing not far under it in a good position. Better pic as weather improves.

Hi Mathew , mate it certainly has improved since i first clapped my eyes on it .Whats this improved weather your on about ,mate its raining here finally and that's a good thing , most of it has skirted Myrtleford . I've had enough of watering daily for the last month or more , now i can rest up for at least the next week . Its a good thing being yard bound , plenty of time to do some improvements and refinements of the stock i have . Hope to catch up soon .

Cheers Alpine

Mate im happy with its progress. i think its gonna be nice in another 2 seasons. We had 15 mil so far and if it sticks around tonight it may double was getting DRY here. cool weather for the next week or so bloody better than 35 thats for sure.
Saw neil the other week and got a NICE trident off him so your next for the visits

Hi Mattew , the rains are great when i get it .It can rain over the hill and down town then split at my place , had 25mm here now looking real good .I must catch up a few people ASAP starting to feel like a pot bound Bonsai .

Cheers Alpine

That tree is looking really great. The new pot looks better as well.

grant