a long and winding road to shimpaku

[kez]

Hey all

So over the last 4 or so years I have been working on a couple of shohin shimpaku I picked up as somewhat twisted whips

Here's a photo I took of one of them about 6 months after I picked them up,

IMG_4070 (1024x683).jpg

I initially got some very heavy wire, squashed them down, compressed them as much as possible and left them for about 3 years

Here's the same tree after the next bit of work

IMG_6621 (1024x683).jpg

Wire removed, shari and deadwood work started, trunkline selected. What I expect now is the tree to shoot back, but also to push more compact growth where there is already green. Another year and I will be ready for step 2

Here's the second of the tree, for reference I think it's about 10cm tall

IMG_6619 (1024x683).jpg

I did the same work as above a bout a year ago as I had much tighter bends in this one and I thought the above tree could thicken a touch more. Previously this tree had the heavy wire removed, Shari work started, along with removal of unnecessary branches and a rough trunkline chosen.

The last few days saw me re wire the tree, remove the further unwanted branches, add movement into what I chose for the trunkline and a rough structure set

I will probably drop the cascade altogether, as I don't think it really adds much, but I'm keeping it now for health

IMG_6620 (1024x683).jpg

Here's a couple of the shots to show the movement I have got into this tree so far

IMG_6623 (1024x683).jpg

IMG_6624 (1024x683).jpg

IMG_6625 (1024x683).jpg

I still have a way to go with these trees, but it's nice to see some progress and hopefully they will turn into some great shohin in the future

[Jake fowler]

Looking good Kez!

[Boics]

Nice Kez - Going the long, short game!
Looking really good so far.

I've got a pretty boring Shimpaku that I think needs some similar treatment as well.
I'll have to take to mine with some raffia though me thinks.
Thanks for the inspiration.

[MJL]

Cool Kez. DavidN recently re-surfaced a historical Shimpaku thread where everyone was bending and twisting trunks like a 60’s dance move. Tough units those shimpaku’s (and some of those dance moves!). Inspiring stuff. I might get some whips and play catch up.


Bonsai teaches me patience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk