radical approach to an ugly Cedar.

[Josh]

Be very careful with the callistemon josh.
Larger branches will crack and splinter very easily.

Yeah I know,trust me I know The one I'm thinking off has no real character so giving this a go could be fun or disasterous so worth a go. I had a play with one a while a go, you know when you think "I really should: but you don't and you you hear crack Will post when I try.
Would it be best to try this when it is moist or dry it out a bit first.

Josh

[bodhidharma]

which martial art do you train in Bodhidharma?

I am a Member of the Australian Tang Soo Tao organisation.

[Qitianlong]

which martial art do you train in Bodhidharma?

I am a Member of the Australian Tang Soo Tao organisation.

wow, cool! I run the Kung Fu Academy in Sydney, so drop by if you're ever around, be good to hear of what you think of our school.

[matty-j]

Hey guys could this technique be applied to a ficus

I think the grinder might make an appearance tomorrow

[bodhidharma]

It was a good time to unwrap this today and make a few modifications to its design. The bark had swelled through the wrap and has developed a weird effect. Half the wire has been swallowed by the tree and half still showing but i think it is just time and it will be absorbed. It has held in place and just needs a slight pulldown till the position is right. It may not be a world beater but it has shown me what can be done with some effort and persuasion. Lets see what another few years bring to the table. I cant decide on a front but at this stage, who cares, it is a lot of fun.

[Josh]

Wow that bark really is weird. Will be very interesting to see where you go with this tree.

[bodhidharma]

Will be very interesting to see where you go with this tree.

Probably to the mulcher Sorry, just kidding Josh. It has been a good experiment and served its purpose and will sit at the back of the bench and i will see what the bark does as it grows.

[Steven]

Nice update, really goes to show what a bit of wire can do

I can see a good semi cascade there. How do Cedar go with a shari running up the length of the trunk?

Reards,
Steven

[Andrew Legg]

Hey Diedrik - I'll unwrap mine tonight and drop some pics in here too. Wonder if it will have the same bark issue. Ho hum.

Just out of interest, I have an olive (one the first page of my "A few of my trees" thread) which was also bend hard from an upright tree. It was not hollowed, but it was rafia'ed for about 2 or 3 years. You'd be amazed at the way the bark has crackled up on this tree (I'll drop a pic here too), so it seems wrapping keeps bark moist which aids ageing. Interesting way to artificially age bark, specially on yamadori which has old bark on onto which you are growing new branches.

Cheers,

Andrew

[Andrew F]

I love the way it looks now bodhi, Might try this technique in the future

[Andrew Legg]

Here's what the trunk of mine looks like now Bodhi - I used stretch bandage (the sticky one that rugby players use on knees etc) and insulation tape over it, and then wire over that. There's a lot of glue residue left from the tape, but the healing seems OK.

IMG-20130531-00279.jpg

Cheers,

Andrew

[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi Bodhidharma ,

I like "DSCF4031.JPG" as a possible front -- for me it suggests an image of a swordman paying respect to his opponent before charging

( The dead branch is the hand where he holds his sword. )

Regards.

[bodhidharma]

This "Radical" tree is doing very well and i think i have settled on its style. it seems i am now minimizing my trees as i practise Bonsai more and more and it is interesting how one's approach to Bonsai changes with experience. Down to three possible fronts now. So, what style you say..My guess would be a semi cascade literati, or just semi cascade or just literati

[Andrew F]

3 all day.

[kcpoole]

#3 most definitley
nice tree Bodhi

Ken