Pup's Paperbark

[Bretts]

Hi Steve
I am hoping to wire all the branches at some stage but not sure how these will take that so I will be looking forward to Pup's tutorial
Although I am not sure how much wire he uses on these. So it might be slowly slowly to start with?

[Bretts]

Oh and the reason I came here was to post an older picture of the tree that I got through the grape vine. Thanks

paperbark.jpg

[FatMingsBonsai]

Jeeezzzzz,.. that's a beauty mate !!

I'd love to buy one very similar like that anytime
I will even pay the expensive freight from Perth to Melbourne lol

[Bretts]

I found something had been boring holes into the trunk base of this tree,

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In my experience there are three types of wood borers. Grub/beetle type that usually attack only dead wood, Wood wasps which act in much the same manner as beetle grubs but also seem to take on live wood. Both of these would not usually cause too much harm to the tree but could ruin the design of a bonsai. The third is a pretty nasty one that I have not fully identified yet but is characterised by a sawdust residue stuck together covering the infected area. This critter spreads through and over the tree eating live tissue Although I have an acacia in the front yard afftected for several years after I started pruning it heavily as well as a neighbour's tree that seems to be dieing from the infection. I have never had it spread to one of my bonsai.
I have also noticed both Japanese gardens in the Central west has several trees affected by this critter.

The distinct hole in the paperbark suggests that it is a wood wasp or beetle larvae. I stuck some wire down the holes to see the depth ( almost 20mm ) and also to maybe get lucky and squash the critter.
The next day I noticed some fresh sawdust at the opening of a hole so I filled the kitchen sink full of water and dunked the tree seeing if I could suffocate it out.
Within several seconds the critter showed itself and I had the bugger.

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I came across one of these years ago in a mulberry bonsai. It was quite a surprise to find something moving in my tree when looking closely one day and then some fun catching the bugger with tweezers. I have had no further incidence with the mulberry tree.
I believe the wasp enters the tree to lay eggs so hopefully I got this little bugger before it had the chance.
In any event I will not plug any holes but just keep an eye out for any further activity and any offspring will get the same treatment.

[Bretts]

While I was getting some advice of Pup for this I thought I might as well ask about what I might expect in regards to regrowth after cutting back and took a few pics for his consideration.

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I have wanted to let the tree grow freely as well as invigorating the lower branches by reducing the top. I am very happy that all branches are now responding well except for the back branch. I have rotated the tree several times, some times pointing the back branch towards the sun and other times on the more shaded side.
I thought it was going to start growing but having it pointed towards the sun lately has seen it go slightly backwards so I will leave it on the shady side and just wait with fingers crossed. I might give it a more regular dose of hormones and humus as well as the regular weekly feed.
I am starting to consider ways to replace this back branch already though

Hopefully it looks presentable for the Canberra Native show in March