Still too dark and wet (and really, really COLD) to do anything outside, so I thought I might as well post the beginnings of another progression. To the best of my knowledge, this is a River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) that I purchased a few years ago from Ba Loc Bonsai in Ardeer. It has already been seen at AB.c as the subject of an air layer or two, but it is now time to address the tree in its own right.
June 2007
April 2008
These photos show the tree after the removal of the first successful air layer on this tree. More details can be seen in this thread.
December 2009
There aren't many photos of the tree leading up to December 2009, except for the ones which concern the second major air layer. Let it suffice to say that it looked like this after the layer was removed:
The LH branch is where I have attempted to 'point graft' a new leader into place, but I think I chopped too close to the branch to achieve a successful graft.
October 2010
Despite good rains lately, the growing tips of the Euc were wilting readily on warm and/or windy days, indicating one of a few possible issues: usually with Eucs, wilting growth means that the roots are not able to take up water. Upon inspection of the roots/soil, I found that the soil had become compacted, with no air gaps between individual soil particles. As such, the soil had become water-repellent, and I believe that the inclusion of chopped sphagnum moss in the mix had contributed to the problem. Nevertheless, the container was full of roots, both thick and thin. Sorry I didn't get any photos of the root-pruning process, but I was thinking about other things...
As the aforementioned 'point graft' appears to have failed, I decided to bite the bullet and start to work towards some serious taper:
Although it is not apparent at this angle, I have attempted another 'point graft' at the union of the three branches. The tree is now in an extremely fast-draining mix, with the sphagnum and all small particles sifted out. If the rain ever lets up, I will try to get photos of the tree potted up and at the correct(?) angle.
Thanks.
Fly.
As well as the chopped branch (whch has buds about halfway along the length), there are 3 thickish branches and 2 thinner ones. That's 6 potential leaders to choose from. 
At the moment, I am keeping them all in order to expediate the grafting process (
