Melaleuca rhaphiophylla [Pups survivor]

[Ray M]

Hi Steven,
I like the way it looks now. I think the more upright look suites the head of the tree. Looks very much like a tree we would see in the bush.

Regards Ray

[Pup]

Looking good still Steven, about the rotting you can if you are very careful by putting a very wet towel, or similar between trunk and wood, then get in with the blow torch.

As I have said that the observation of the wood that is hard burned last a lot longer, infact in some cases like steel. ( The first Australians used fire to make tools as well as hunting)

Cheers Pup

[Jason]

Beautiful tree Steven, love what your doing with it

Can't wait to get my hands on some decent Mel's

[Boics]

Cool thread.
I like it a lot.

[Steven]

G'day, time for an update on this one.

The deadwood was disintegrating badly and was rotten all the way through despite wood preservatives and blowtorching.
Last night I gave it a haircut, repot and removed the remainder of the deadwood. Also finally got the remaining stainless steel screw out of the trunk.
The 2 thin branches on the lower half of the trunk are just being used as sacrifices to fatten the trunk.
Next step will be to rewire the branches.

2014 October (a).JPG

2014 October (oh no).JPG

[bodhidharma]

I had exactly the same experience Steven. Shattered it like a piece of glass. tree is looking lovely by the way

[kcpoole]

Stainless steel is strong, but quite brittle too.
Beware

[Isitangus]

Trees looking great. Personally prefer it without the deadwood.