Melaleuca alternifolia

[MelaQuin]

Got this tree in 2004 with almost no roots or foliage. [tied in the pot and around the pot so it wouldn't blow out. In a month it was rock solid with roots.]

Mela alt 2004-04.jpg

It simply powered along and became one of my top show trees. [Roger Hnatiuk pot]

Mela alt 2006-06.jpg

And only got better [Mudlark Pot]

Mela Alt 2008-03.jpg

And then it started to get too big for its britches. It looked liked it needed a larger pot and I didn't want a larger tree. The upper structure became too dominant and reached forwards too much. I took it to a club meeting and got two experts to advise and they both said just to trim it. It was fine. Looked great. Next day I cut the hell out of it. Obviously I didn't agree with them and I've never been slow with the sidecutters. Three major branches went. The back became the front and it sat on the bench and started shooting.

Mela alt 2009-07.jpg

I looked at it last week and WACKO - I could see the future.

This weekend I will do the wiring and shaping but I'm really excited about the new direction. I can see this tree back as one of my better show trees in another year and I am so pleased I have restyled it. The proportions are better, the balance is better, the taper is better.

Mela Alt 2009-10.jpg

I appreciate the advice I was given and I could see what they were getting at but what they really solidified in my mind was the direction I wanted this tree to go and in a few months I will show this tree to them and I am sure the reactions will be positive.

[Gerard]

Nice job MelaQuin, we often lack the courage to restyle a tree which has pleased us. More often someone will see a new future for the tree and buy it because the original owner cannot bring themselves to doing the restyle.
It seems that this tree will now continue to please you and others.
(I wish my natives were half as good as this)
Gerard

[Pup]

MelaQuine,
Thank you for posting this series of pictures. I have for years been trying to convince people that the tree I have that I call Houdini.
Is not alternifolia, but parviflora. My tree is full on Papebark while yours appears a fissured bark.
Does yours have a strong aroma?. Mine does it was collected from a local swamp which is a long way from the Coffs area.

Again thank you Pup

[FlyBri]

Gday MelaQuin!

Good informative progression! I can't wait to see where the 'new direction' takes you (and your tree)...

Thanks for sharing!

Fly.

[MelaQuin]

The foliage has a wonderfully aromatic scent that makes pruning a delight. I will post a pic after the weekend when I set it on its new path. Yes, the bark is fissured rather than paper and quite firm. When I first got it I was rapt in the salmon hues of the bark but that has long gone and it is beige/grey but still very beautiful.

[ozzy]

I have some alternifolia seeds on order, they look like they make great bonsai's.

[teejay]

Great progression Mel, I enjoyed the pics a lot.

[MelaQuin]

Well, Saturday was restyle day and I am very pleased with the outcome. The removal of the very heavy forward growing apical branch and two other major branches and making the back the front has really lightened and brightened this tree. It is a fast developer - it is just over 2 months since the hard cutback. I can see this fairly well developed in its new format by autumn.

Mela alterni .jpg

John Hanby said that the 'real' tree was the trunk and first branch - a lovely shohin. He felt the trunk from the first branch to the apex was straight but it does have movement and character and once I refine the 'heel' of the apex cut it will have more taper. But I am no way prepared to cut that low at this stage. I like the new structure, lighter, airier. She dances now where she plodded before.

[Jamie]

mel,

i love where this is going, seeing from where it started to where you are now is great. has given me more inspiration to go out and find mel's!


jamie