Melaleuca linariifolia 'Claret Tops' Honey Myrtle

[anthonyW]

Don't touch the roots..it is a focal point !

Anthony

[GavinG]

For me the roots are full of character, and fit the angle of the tree as it is. The fact that it doesn't look like a "proper bonsai" is the point - it does look like a wild tree that's fallen over on the river bank, with all the violence that implies. It doesn't look like a Japanese pine or maple bonsai with meticulously manicured nebari. Good. (Sorry Pup!)

And I like the relaxed and refined foliage masses, not rigid foliage pads that wouldn't harmonise with that rough base.

Gavin

[Jarad]

Nice tree Dave!

I like the roots except for those two thick ones that come over the top of the trunk, they look a little odd.

[Pup]

Nice tree Dave!

I like the roots except for those two thick ones that come over the top of the trunk, they look a little odd.

That is exactly what needs taming.
No it is not a pine or a maple it is a native, look at them, as after exposure those roots will rot away showing more age.

Cheers

But that is only my opinion

[dansai]

Just a couple of ideas!

Claret Tops virt 1.jpg

Claret Tops virt 3.jpg

Edit: just saw boics virt. Seems he beat me to it. And with a bit more flare

[DavidWilloughby]

Hi all,

I cannot thank you all enough for the discussion, for me this is healthy and what its all about as we all see trees differently from where we stand, at the time.

About time for an update on this as it has grown really well since on my bench. Here is a progression on where it sits now.

Claret Tops 14 Feb 2017.jpg

*14 Feb 2017

Claret Tops April 2017.jpg

April 2017

Claret Tops 24 July 2017.jpg

*tonight, 24 July 2017

I have not long removed the wire, which was cutting in badly and it has responded well with extra growth and the areas where the wire was cutting in is swelling in a good way.

After I trim in over the next few weeks I shall update it then.

Any thoughts and comments are welcomed.

Cheers

Willow.

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

DavidWilloughby,
This tree is very impressive & displays great Aussie style (the pot is the only thing I would think of changing - but maybe your on the eternal search like me, for finding large sized Aussie made bonsai pots)

For me the roots are full of character, and fit the angle of the tree as it is. The fact that it doesn't look like a "proper bonsai" is the point - it does look like a wild tree that's fallen over on the river bank, with all the violence that implies. It doesn't look like a Japanese pine or maple bonsai with meticulously manicured nebari. Good. (Sorry Pup!)

And I like the relaxed and refined foliage masses, not rigid foliage pads that wouldn't harmonise with that rough base.

Gavin

The above comment is GOLD

[treeman]

Very nice tree! To make it look older and more settled I would like to see more branches and those top roots removed. Just MO.

[Matthew]

Very nice tree! To make it look older and more settled I would like to see more branches and those top roots removed. Just MO.

Agree totally with Mike . i'm sure David will thin the tree out to see branching etc when the time comes. Those roots annoy me and draw my attention to them (not in a good way ) I think the tree will display more age without them.

[DavidWilloughby]

Hi all,

Thank you Keep Calm, Mike and Matthew for your comments.

Keep Calm, with the pot it's in, I honestly love it. Just my tastes mate. However, I would love to see large Australian pots.

Mike & Matthew, couldn't agree more about the thinning out. Funnily enough, the roots were something I immediately wanted to remove upon seeing it for the first time and I do think that if you saw it in person, you would still hate them lol :p I reckon its going to be one of those parts that will be loved or hated with it.

I have managed to get the time to give it a thin and trim since my previous update

Claret Tops 29 July 2017.jpg

Content how it sits for now (although I can see areas that could do with more thinning haha) and will update it in a few months when it should be due for another trim by then.

Any thoughts and comments are welcomed.

Cheers

Willow

[melbrackstone]

I love it!

[boom64]

Looking good David ,don't want to open the roots debate again but I think they look great. Cheers John.

[Raging Bull]

Hi David,
Your tree looks great, I like it a lot, but I'd like it more if it was in my collection. . Re the roots, you are quite right that it's a love it or hate it thing, and if you like them that way keep them, it's YOUR tree and if you remove them and don't like the tree as much after that you'll regret it every time you look at the tree.
Cheers, Frank

[Rory]

Hi David...

I love it. The only thing I'm not a big fan of is the pot.

-If you leave the foliage as is, it looks strong and virile, leaning out over a creek for better sunlight.
-If you reduce the foliage it might make it look older and subjected to more extreme conditions.

Both options would look good to me, but I think it would improve it with a tad more reduction of foliage.

[Kevin]

Hello David,

Congrats on your tree becoming a stamp, it's a great tree.

Kevin