Sometimes I work on nursery trees, sometimes I work on client’s trees……and sometimes if I’ve been a really good boy I get to work on my own trees. Hopefully these regular visits will give you an insight into what goes on behind closed doors……….
Studio Stories – Yamadorii Buxus….a change of direction!
The time had come to do something with this tree. It is a very old collected tree from France with some characteristic deadwood but this has left a large bulge in the centre and the trunk base below divided in two.
In it’s existing stance and pot it just does not look right. I thinned out the foliage removing all branches and twigs that I thought we could do without. All the remaining branches were wired and you can see in the first pictures that the tree is now ready for styling.
To try and overcome the problems described above I thought about changing the angle of the tree. The separate branch on the opposite side of the bulge could be used to create a lower foliage mass in a half cascade style. Planting the tree at this angle would make more sense of the deadwood bulge and the divided trunk base. It looks more natural for a tree growing like this hanging out off a cliff or over water.
Repotting the tree into the crescent pot continued the theme and again helped to promote a more natural composition. Adding some moss and miniature ferns could really bring this planting to life.
With the branches suitably re-arranged to accommodate the new style, the change of angle, and the new pot I feel much happier about this tree. The tree now has a more positive future where ongoing refinement should lead to the development of a seriously good bonsai.
