Genus : Melaleuca
Species : M. rhaphiophylla
Training: Collected in September 2011 and chopped/wired on 11/6/12.
Size: 690mm high , 440mm wide with a 180mm base
Artist: Craig , Perth WA
This tree was collected on the third of September last year and potted straight into a shallow plastic training pot with ordinary garden potting mix. The tree took a little while to recover but then started to grow quite well so i began pinching and trimming to try and entice it to backbud . A few new shoots were gained but not alot to work with, the trees future was not looking bright. The trunk consists of only 2 live veins and alot of deadwood which has naturally deacayed, leaving some very nice splits and hollows.
Since the time of collection I have wondered what i'll be able to achieve with the long trunk and quite honestly it had me a little stumped
Some of my best work comes from spur of the moment decisions and I just said "that's it" and chopped the top right off.
I trimmed and wired till all hours of the night and then started on removing some wood from the trunk to start creating some taper.The pics following are as it was 2 days ago when chopped and a rough virtual of what i hope to acheive with the tree over the next couple of years
I will repot this tree very soon (within the week) ,even though yes it's winter and post a complete set of new photo's for the Judges
new photo's to come very soon.
great stuff
