AusBonsai

Hi, here is a photo of the 2nd tree's naturally hollowed trunk. The timber is hard.
cheers
Dave

Don't you loose the humour Dave - you keep tellin those stories and I'll continue to have a giggle (and learn something new on the side).

Discussion is good as we all have differing view points - there is just no need to take anything said too personaly. Remember if we all agreed on everything, there would be little need to talk and the forums would be boring.

Jon

An excellent read Dave from a very original view point. I appreciate you posting some of your ramblings and look forwards to being entertained/educated/inspired by more.

Regards,
Steven

That was a great story dave... and great specimens too! I look forward to reading more of the chapters of this story in the future

Hi Jon,
as promised here is a photo of a Privet branch showing the leaf size of our privets in the Hunter Valley of NSW. The leaf size definately reduces with regular pruning, trimming or TOPIARIZING !!!!
cheers
Dave

Thanks Dave, I believe that it was Peter who asked the question to see if they were similar to the ones that grow up the Brisbane Valley.

Do you ever leaf prune the big leaves out? the little ones look great.

Jon

Next you guys down there are going to start posting 800 year old junipers found growing in amongst the Japanese black pine trees, kept short by the bloody cows! NOT FAIR!
LOL...thanks for your time and effort posting Dave.
Regards
Peter

I too, have been accused of growing topiary. I say, however, that if it's a hedging plant, treat it as a hedging plant. Here's a Lonicera of mine. What the heck!

Hi all,
Sorry Jon & Peter about the mixed names and Hi to Don.
I only prune out the larger leaf, when showing as the largest leaf would only be about 8-10 mm anyway.
Fellas, the main reason I tend to hedge prune my privets is time. I have so many trees that to try and prune each leaf with a small pair of scissors would be impossible and a choice between the overgrown "natural" look and a perfectly trimmed specimen,well I lean to the latter.
In the latter part of my club asscociation, when preparing to show privet, I would do my "normal" trimming and then pinch prune with fingers to give a more natural effect on the pads.
By the way Don, nice tree, however, I always find that using Lonicera in my area, they tend to burn off in the heat.
I have some good English bonsai friends that I met on a Japan visit. you wouldn't know Mike Smith FOBBS by any chance.
enjoy your weather as it's 40 degrees celsius here at the moment
cheers
Dave

I haven't met Mike but I admire his family name.

Hi Dave, thought you had given it all away, obviously not the privet or it's story, that's what I remember. Good Luck

Dave

I appreciate all your postings and admire your work. How many helpers does it take to repot PETE and do you do it annually ? Again great tree, great article please keep them coming.

Hi Anne and Noah,
Anne I can't put a face to your name, but my memory is not what it used to be. No, I havn't given it away, but until this forum was doing my bonsai privately and "workshopping" with close friends whilst my collection grows.
Noah, it generally takes 4 of us to repot old "Pete". ALL my privets get re-potted twice a year, in Autumn and Spring and the pots are totally rootbound both times. This is the price you pay for the quick top growth which enables you to develop a tree fast.
cheers
Dave

Hi Dave, twice a year, crikey that is fast growing... do you anticipate as years trickle by that it will slow down? Seems to me it should. One day it will be down to once a year, then once every two years... for the sake of your poor back.

Hi Marc,
occasionally I have missed a repot due to apathy and you can see that after a few months the tree is not quite as vibrant than if it had been repotted.
Small privet are pushing out of the pot if you leave them 12 months. I suppose it is dependant on growing environment, but hot weather, plenty of water and fertilizer add up to plenty of top and bottom growth.
For those who keep under shadecloth, (which I don't recommend) probably don't get the growth, top or bottom.
cheers
Dave