AusBonsai

This Casuarina cunninghamiana has been under going a make over since last year. Because it is not raining and I can get out the electrics I started phase two.
This part was inspired by some photos that Steven showed us of trees on his property.
Now there is an OH!! bugger coz I forgot to take the immediate before shot.
I will however put one when I did it in December last year. There are quite a few pictures as I tried to get the sequence of what I was doing. So I will put text with the pics explaining what I was doing.
The tools that were used were a Dremel with a flexi shaft, and one that fits it with a WE Cheer a reciprocating chisel, as is the Arbohtech reciprocating chisel. Also the good old trusty drill. Last but not least was the trusty old flame thrower and paint brush.To paint on the lime sulphur and Sumi ink. The next sequence will be in the following post. Pup

These are some more

The final touches. The most important part of this work is, to make sure that where the hollow is. There is no chance of water sitting even though it has been treated, it will still rot if water sits there. So here are the final stages. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did and thank you Steven for the Pictures of the tree's Pup

It looks great

I really want to create an effect like this in one of my trees one day.
but i'm scared i'll kill it carving that deep! or cutting through a trunk like that!

Does that only work for Casuarina's and certain other trees? Or all trees if done correctly?

this is a nice progression pup, will the needles stay that small or do you break them off at there internodes???
and i loved the idea of the hollow on the trunk, adds great appeal and sense of age to the tree!
cant wait to see more !

jamie

Another job done well Pup, you are a brave man. Dont you wonder at the time "will this tree die'. when you carve right into the tree. Or how are you sure that its not going to die. I could say many of us novices are asking our selves that very question while we're looking at this demo. What is it thats keeping this tree going,it looks a major opperation.

G,day again I had not convinced my self about the head of the tree so I took some of all sides just to prove it to my self as well.

Jordy the heart wood of a tree is dead. So by carving into it you will not kill it. You will have to be careful that you leave the live wood. The Cambium phloem xylem,
If you see green as you are cutting just stop and assess. I know this sounds contradictory when you consider that I have drilled though the trunk.
You will notice though all around the carved area is live tree.
So it will survive, next time you are in the bush go and look at a hollowed out tree you will see what I mean.

Glad you like it.

Jamie, that is how you prune the needles on Casuarina's it is a pinching process on going.
If you want longer branches just let it grow, then prune it back. The other thing with these if you don't like where the branches are just wait ( if you have the time and Patience ) they will sprout all the way up the trunk again. Pup

I'm sure Pup will post again with the actual answer... but my guess would be, that it's really not too different from any shari or jin creation for the tree. I mean, the center of the drunk is predominantly old hardwood that no longer transports nutrients anyway, right? The only possible damage might be in reducing the strength of support for the upper parts of the tree, but no doubt Pup has been careful to ensure there's still enough trunk for support.

That's my guess based almost solely on reading, no actual practical experience

Edit: There you go, Pup replied as I was replying!

Nicely done Pup. Very clear and concise. Makes me want to go out and pick up the die grinder and get stuck in. Does the Cunninghamia respond the same as Toralosa regards finger pruning foliage?

bodhidharma wrote:Nicely done Pup. Very clear and concise. Makes me want to go out and pick up the die grinder and get stuck in. Does the Cunninghamia respond the same as Toralosa regards finger pruning foliage?

I only have cunninghamiana, I have just started on an equisetifolia. As a Shohin. It is my understanding that all the( she oaks one of the common names for them )Casuarina's respond to pruning this way I have pinch prune and scissor pruned where necessary.

There are a few members that have them so may be they can answer with more specifics if necessary. Pup

one thing i didnt ask pup, is this tree collected? or bought?

jamie111 wrote:one thing i didnt ask pup, is this tree collected? or bought?

Collected from an abandon nursery as was the group on the 360. This was not collected by me though, I traded for it later.
Same site and day though as the group.
Pup

nice, i will have to check your 360 out of them mate

I have just found where I posted the start of this tree. It is in the section on Australian Natives. For Casuarina's title Restyle of Mother.
Steven asked if I would use the blow torch well as you can see I did. You will also note what a drastic change. It has been a year in the making up my mind.
Cheers Pup

Pup wrote:I have just found where I posted the start of this tree. It is in the section on Australian Natives. For Casuarina's title Restyle of Mother.
Steven asked if I would use the blow torch well as you can see I did. You will also note what a drastic change. It has been a year in the making up my mind.
Cheers Pup

So, I wonder where I was on the 25th of September to have missed this thread...

Nice work as usual, Mr Pup!

I notice that when using the blow torch you don't appear to do anything to protect the edges of the bark. Do you just aim the torch and hope for the best, or is there some method to your madness? I can imagine that a certain amount of unintentional scorching of the bark might add to a more natural effect in years to come. Just curious.

Also, looking at the results thus far, I think I'd like to see another 'window' or two further up the trunk, where fresh air and sunlight is able to penetrate the trunk.

Goodonya!

Fly.

PS: The link to your Restyle of Mother thread is here.