M Raph - Any advice Welcome

[Mbunro]

Picked up this Mel from a friend of a friend in july for a pretty good price.
since then iv been slowly working the branching into nicer positions as well as repotting on a slightly different angle
(although they look ok from the front, the branches are very ugly from most other angles, and il post some photos of other angles later)

Pretty happy with the overall shape (from the front) but really not sure where to go from here.
can anyone tell me if you think im on the right track, or if i should think about regrowing branching from scratch?
Also i wish i got a better photo of the tree before i started working on it.

Thanks.
Bryce

PS: i swear i dont use filters in my photos but they go all stylised when i upload for some reason

[teejay]

Nice flare. I'm a bit brutal these days, I'd probably chop low and build again from there. Even my trees that I think look OK I'm almost ready to do the same.

What would be left if you carved out that middle protrusion at the base? Would it be a hollow or would we see straight through?

[Rory]

That is a fantastic piece of material. I think this is the most beautiful Mels of all the ones I've known, but I've not had experience with it.

It is very hard to really give advice with just 2 pictures and unable to see where branches go or where the foliage is.
If you want good advice and I suggest you do for this great material.... put up 12 pictures with 30 degrees between each rotation if you can.

[Mbunro]

will have to have a better look when i get home but am pretty sure you would see straight through.
i had actually considered carving out the root/trunk type dealio on the left side. the part that would be left has a sort of cartoon like taper to it.
i dont know how i feel about a move so drastic though ha.

Its my most expensive tree by far though so if i lost it id be devastated

[Mbunro]

thanks rory,

will post those shots as soon as i get home.

[Rory]

Just my but please don't chop down low on this beautiful piece of material just for the sake of creating a fat base. Definitely put up a lot more pictures but also take a look at Mel rhap photos.
They don't appear to be sumo in the wild. Not all species need to be very thick based and cut low. Many natives look very beautiful and realistic with some height in their trunks.

http://bpginc.info/Broadwayarbo/Plants/ ... hylla.html

Anyway, hopefully Pup will come into this thread for some needed input too.

[teejay]

Not low low, I just don't see much in the upper branches but, as you've said, there are only two photos.

Definitely not "sumo".


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[Grainer]

look at some wild trees.. the jin dent suit IMO ..a SUMO trunk would just be wrong.. Id get rid of all the jins and just build a beautiful bushy tree as they grow in nature.. the trunk tells the story rather than the branches in this case I think. Choice of pot will be crucial as well.

[Mbunro]

yeah i definitely wasn't thinking anything too drastic like a sumo style,
and although im happy with the current silhouette, these photos should give some reference as to why was thinking about regrowing the branches from scratch.

and i agree that the jins dont really suit the tree, but for the minute they are good anchor points.

[Mbunro]

continued

[Mbunro]

and finally....


also pot is 30cm and round, for size reference.

[Rory]

Just one possible look....then obviously age it about 10 years .... get heaps of virts for different ideas. Don't rush in.

rhaph.jpg

EDIT: Oh.... okay, that changes it massively. I just noticed you've added the photos.
In that case you are going to have to make some big decisions. Thats an awesome amount of photos yes, I'll have to look closer another time.

[teejay]

Thanks Mbunro, I stick to my first call, I'd chop it where the branches are spreading out and rebuild it from there.

It has a great base flare and lots of character mate!


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[Mbunro]

Thanks, for the feedback, i never said it was pretty

Plenty of spots that it buds so il have a few options if i go with the chop.

Still has to recover from last weeks repot though, so i have plenty of time to think things over.

[Rory]

So... .looking at all the pictures you've posted, I would take off a few of the main branches that accentuate the reverse taper if you want to kill that immediately.
Then I would start to develop one of the main branch that gives it a slight leaning look. I certainly wouldn't go with the one that comes out at right angles.

I would not completely cut below the main branches. I think nature has given you a wonderful structure and a unique framework to start shaping. But this is just me and my opinion.
Good luck and please keep us updated.

Having seen all your pics now.... I would remove the right angle and perhaps try for something like this....

Rhaph5.jpg