Hawthorne with Peter Adams

[Watto]

Inspired by Skip's white pine I thought I would post my tree done at the Peter Adams workshop. It's an English Hawthorne that was dug in the Goulburn area about eight years ago. After digging it I decided I didn't like any of the branches so I cut them all off and started again from scratch. It's not as good as Skips, but I hold out great hope for this tree - abit of carving and a bit of branch work etc. I potted it into this training pot in August - the root structure is about 450mm wide so the pot is reasonably large. Hope you enjoy,
Watto

[MasonC]

Loved it! But think you should remove the lowest branch, looks a little out of place. But can't wait til it fills out!

[Watto]

I thought I should have removed that branch too, but Peter Adams was quite sure that it was (or could be) a feature of this tree and as such I am bowing to greater wisdom.
I have a simple plan - do whatever Peter said.
Cheers

[kcpoole]

Nice Watto
I remember this tree from the workshop. Budding out nicely

Ken

[jarryd]

nice tree, im unsure about that branch to but we will see what happens, i like unusual trees so i look forward to seeing what happens with this strange branch. did you also receive a sketch to show peter's vision?

[Chris Di Nola]

Nice tree Watto, have you recived the scetch from Peter, if so can we have a look.

What was Peters thoughts on that first branch.

[Bretts]

That root base sets the tree up very nice. The tree looks tall but it is actualy easy under the 6:1 ratio wich is intresting.
When things like this happen I think it makes the ingredients of an exceptional tree.
The first the branch is low at about 1/6-1/7 the finished hieght. I think that when a tree has a low branch it tells the story of a tree that has had a good life it should look very healthy and the branching should replicate that it has had the good life.
Very full with a roundness that shows its age.
I too hope the Peter scetch is comming

[anttal63]

nice one watto !!!

[bodhidharma]

I have to say that i think the lower branch could become a feature later on. I have one that i thought i should cut of and is now a feature of the tree. this will be a beauty in time. Hope it flowers for you Watto

[Watto]

Thanks for your comments guys. I have received an email from Peter with a copy of the sketch, and if my technology skills are OK I will post a copy tomorrow.
I do hope to get the "real" sketch real soon!

[Watto]

If my technology skills have improved since yesterday there should be a copy of the sketch by Peter. I still have a very simple plan, follow Peter's plan and see how things turn out.

[Bretts]

Thats intresting Watto. Did Peter give a time frame to get to the stage of the drawing? he did with mine of I think 3-4 years.
It seemed to me that Peter seems inclined to using the tree as is and no redesigning very often. Only improving what is there.
I find the upward growing branch a little upsetting compared to the rest bowing down. I wonder if this image would mature with that branch leveling out or something?

[kcpoole]

Nice pic and with Bretts the first branch is my only concern
Wonder what would be like if you cut that one back to the first horizontal section? That would place the branch top at the level of the first bend and would be in harmony with the other branches too.

Easy to do as a virtual, but I would let you do it so i do not ruin your thread, but to me that might just set it off

Ken

[mikem]

G,day Watto, you have a beatiful tree in the making. The low, left branch should not be considered the "first" branch. I consider it an 'hem line" branch. Such branches,in nature, usually arise from an succesful low growing sucker,which typically grow at an relatively sharp angle compared to the more mature branches above,then spreads out and ramifies ,seeking light. The drawing by Peter as to future directions,shows these considerations exellently. Kind regards, Mike.

[stymie]

I really can't see Peter's vision as right this time. I would be losing that bottom branch, its rather low anyway and the rest of the tree will develop faster without it. Sorry Mr. Adams.