AusBonsai

That's what I have been wondering the last few days Jamie. I have one that I collected just before last winter and I have considered starting work on that as it is going great. I often think I should wait till next spring though just so the tree has that extra kick of health.
I understand 2 years is a good bench mark for collected material but I have considered working this one next spring being only one year. I am tossing up between that extra dose of health to the new branch pliability. Maybe if I give it another year before I chop it back a bit, the new branches won't be as pliable but I will get an abundance of new advantageous shoots.

Edit: Yes Dayne I collected 3 others and a cotoneaster. But none as good as this one

yeah its hard to turn down free trees that are that good

Hi Bretts,
From my experience with collected trees don't be impatient to work on them too soon. I usually pot them up and put them aside and forget about them for at least 12 months to re establish the root system and foliage.
I have killed so many potentially good trees by getting impatient and spending hours hacking back, wiring, carving etc. only to have them die by disturbing the root system before they are properly established.
This is such a great find that it would be a shame to lose it by being impatient as this has the potential to one day be a really good bonsai.
Cheers, Jonden

Firethorns are tough brutes. I spent many hours over two years trying to help an elderly friend remove one from her garden, including lighting regular bonfires on the stump. In the end she moved house, suspect the tree is still alive..

I am sure I could work this tree now and it would survive fine but there is a diference between surviving and and flourishing. Peter Adams probably said it well " I see trees worked slower progressing faster" Or something like that
I am only considering one or two years rest for it.

Just rememberd I took some pictures of where I collected this from today. I will upload them

brett,

are you planing on removing the big curved branch at the back? i find it hard to picture in the design?


jamie

There are a few curved branches like that Jamie (check out the collection pics). They are very interesting and would take forever to replicate so I am first looking at incorporating them in the design. If they need to go they will go but at the moment there is at least one that I believe I should be able to cut just above the curve to incorporate the feature.
I have been thinking I will have to search out KC's Peter Adams tree Maybe that will give me some ideas.

Already the tree is below 6:1 so I figure I can be confident to Cut the branches back to where the design, ramification and taper of branches work and it will be in-line with a masculine setting starting from secondary branching. The angle of the last pic is what I favour as the front so far. There is a twist to the bark lines that works well with that first branch on the right. It also has the best taper. I was disappointed that the picture doesn't show what I see every day I water it
Still going to be a long ride though
Thanks for the interest Guys I will keep you updated

have you looked at a single trunk option couldnt help myself

Thanks for thye idea Dayne. It seems very hard to get a picture that shows the form of the trunk and branches on this. They tend to blend in all the pictures I have taken. I believe there is a very masculine and unique broom in there. As I have always taken pictures when the bark is wet I will try again when it is dry maybe that will help. But I figure I would have to move it which I am not keen on at the moment.
There may well be a great informal upright in there as well but some how I think I will have trouble finding another firethorn that has this broom feature of single trunk branching out to multiple at the perfect height.
If you go to a style suggestion for this species I am betting it states not broom

if you have a broom in there go for it then you can allways cut off cant glue back on

This is almost ready for work and I have been considering taking this tree along to a workshop. It is such a nice tree it deserve a look at by those better than me but it is so big and would be a mammoth effort to get it there. I even considered doing an online workshop for it with Peter Adams but it is so hard to get a picture of it showing the branch structure.
I think I have worked out a best plan of attack that I reckon doesn't take any more of than the first possible leader for each branch. That will open it right up and I can then see if it should go further or wait till it is in a little smaller pot and easier to transport
Now I know what I want to do I can't Wait. Might leave it until the temps stop dropping down below Zero! Just about to check Harries site for pruning advice. Oh you can see the berry colour here, not red but it is a dark orange so I guess I can live with it

Got side tracked re-organising the benches today

I see you just gave it a 'light' prune Bretts

Mate, that's some serious material you have there. Should look excellent in a few years.

We were down your way earlier on this year - stayed with Mrs T's relatives in Condo. If I'd known this sort of stuff was 'hidden' around the area, I would have been doing a bit of exploring! Might have to give you a call next time we're down your way again.

Yep looks like very serious stuff! I'm drooling over it.

Give me a shout for sure Tman there are some around to collect but I am not sure there are any more like this one
It is great to see something grow that loves my climate.