AusBonsai

Spring growth trim for annual show.

I shortened all growth back as necessary and trimmed compound leaf back as well.
This is a very vigorous tree. I will defoliate it in about 4 to 6 weeks and see how its going.

Grant

Update.

After the trim for the CBS show the tree went ballistic again. Will defoliate tomorrow.
Grant

Hi Grant,

Just wondered if you had any tips for growing ash from seed? My bench sits under an ash, and they've been coming up from seed everywhere. I just potted up 5-6 of the stronger seedlings figuring that hopefully in another decade or so, they might look half as good as yours. They sprouted last summer and the strongest one is just pushing its first set of actual compound leaves (it's spring over here) and I'm sure the others will follow soon.

I'm familiar with growing from seed so I'm not asking for a whole primer on that, mainly just anything specific about ash as it's my first time with them. Thanks!

lackhand wrote:Hi Grant,

Just wondered if you had any tips for growing ash from seed? My bench sits under an ash, and they've been coming up from seed everywhere. I just potted up 5-6 of the stronger seedlings figuring that hopefully in another decade or so, they might look half as good as yours. They sprouted last summer and the strongest one is just pushing its first set of actual compound leaves (it's spring over here) and I'm sure the others will follow soon.

I'm familiar with growing from seed so I'm not asking for a whole primer on that, mainly just anything specific about ash as it's my first time with them. Thanks!

Firstly the only Ash I have experience of is Fraxinus angustifolia(or as it is known in Australia) or common name the Desert Ash.

Basically i trim the roots fairly hard when very young so that you get a good, fibrous root system. Use shallow but wide pots or trays if you can to further train the roots. The top will look after itself as they grow really quickly and will bud back on old, even thick barked wood for many years so you concentrate on fattening the trunk. They will be very thirsty when in growth.Get some initial movement by wire or clip and grow. Fertilise well with both liquid and slow release ferts or whatever.

Alternatively grow it in the ground to get a real fat trunk if you wish. Once again use lots of water to power it on.

Grant

Grant Bowie wrote:Firstly the only Ash I have experience of is Fraxinus angustifolia(or as it is known in Australia) or common name the Desert Ash.

Basically i trim the roots fairly hard when very young so that you get a good, fibrous root system. Use shallow but wide pots or trays if you can to further train the roots. The top will look after itself as they grow really quickly and will bud back on old, even thick barked wood for many years so you concentrate on fattening the trunk. They will be very thirsty when in growth.Get some initial movement by wire or clip and grow. Fertilise well with both liquid and slow release ferts or whatever.

Alternatively grow it in the ground to get a real fat trunk if you wish. Once again use lots of water to power it on.

Grant

I'm pretty sure F. angustifolia is what I've got here. There is another kind used locally but it has much larger leaves. I trimmed the taproot on all of them so the root growth should be good, and I'll feed and water heavily this summer. Should be fun to see how they end up in a few years. I only have a few spots for ground growing, and they're already taken by eucalyptus nicholii and black pine.

Thanks for the tips!

Update sans photo.

The tree has performed well this year but insists on putting out lots of micro branches on the right hand side(exposed sunny side) of the lower fat trunk; so I have decided to relent and incorporate them into the overall design.

It has also popped a new branch on the lower left hand side that I will also incorporate into the design.

Photos once the work is done in a few weeks.

Grant

Hi Grant, lovely tree. Would love to see some photos, the progress is impressive.

Dayam that is top notch weldone indeed!

I like the yellowy photos and this tree looks better defoliated.

I must have missed it somewhere.. how fats the trunk?

I repotted the tree (again) into yet another new pot but am still searching for the right one.

It is a difficult tree to match to a pot! Deciduous and refined yet massive and chunky. Fat trunk and very shallow root system. Finished looking but still a long way to go.

And yes it will always look better deciduous or after defoliation.

However as the tree gets older and less vigorous i will defoliate less or infrequently to maintain its vigour. I will also repot less if I ever find the right pot.

Will go and take a photo of it for you.

Grant

I have left some small branches that have popped out on the right hand side and will play around with them in a modification to the design.

I can always remove them if it doesn't work.

I love serendipity.

Pot is 42 cm width on the outside of the pot and the trunk is around 13 or 14 cm at the base.

Grant

Grant!

What a beautiful tree and lots of useful info there...Thank for sharing.

Cheers,
Carlos

Hi Grant,

I have been watching this progression with interest. I've never been a huge fan of ash trees in general however you have trained a beautiful tree.
You mention that the growth shall slow down (eventually). Any ideas on when? I'm wondering if I'll still be around to enjoy the tree in its less exuberant middle age!

This tree is now 16 years from seed.

I finally have a great pot for the tree. It was one I purchased in Japan and has just arrived. It is slightly taller/deeperr than the previous pot and maybe 1cm smaller width and depth. It has a great mottled green/blue/dark glaze and a nice shape.
Pot is wired and ready to go.

Grant