Syzygium

[Neverenoughtrees]

Hi All,

I'm kind of happy where this Syzygium is heading. I'd like to get some more interesting movement in the branches and refine the apex. What does everyone think? Any advice on styling would be appreciated.

Please ignore the shoddy wiring. I didn't have the right gauge of wire at the time, got impatient and doubled up with a thinner gauge.

[Boics]

Not looking too bad.
These are such a cool and fun species to play with.
My constrictive critique.

I'd like to see another branch or two in the lower portion of the tree.
It looks a bit unnaturally sparce here.

The 2nd branch on the right looks a bit big and is a bit close to a bar branch with its opposing branch.
I'd look to relocate this one perhaps?

Apex is a bit busy in comparison to the rest of the tree as well.
Once again only being constructive as I think it's a pleasing tree.
Wiring looks pretty good as well!

[dansai]

I really like the trunk line and think it is a nice tree.

What I find out with it is the branches towards the apex are thicker than the lower ones, and the 3 lower branches go dramatically down where the others go up sharply then flatten out or go down.

The first thing I would do is copy that to the lower branches. This will bring the foliage together.

The next thing would be to keep the top trimmed and allow the lower branches to grow unhindered for a season or two to thicken up, then cut them back hard. The tree should respond with plenty of new buds.

Then let them grow again and cut back hard to get taper in the branch, some movement and build some ramification. Meanwhile, keep the top trimmed and thin as necessary.

The other option would be to layer the top off by removing the 3rd/4th and back branches and place the layer about there, lift the first branch up to create the new leader, and when the layer is removed, cut the trunk back to just above the first branch.

[Neverenoughtrees]

Biocs and dansai,

Thanks for the tips guys.

Yeah I'm really happy with the trunk movement but arranging the branches has been difficult. As you've pointed out the upper branches are very thick and have been hard to wire downwards. I'm going to chuck some heavier wire on and bring them slowly into line with the lower branches. Growing out the lower branches (as you advise) will be the priority over the coming seasons.

I will post some updates as the tree progresses.

ps. I just realised I've posted this tree in the wrong forum. I thought this forum was for asking advice not sharing my "success stories" (which I don't have many of haha). Reading instructions has never been my strong suit.

cheers
Tom

[kcpoole]

nice movement in the trunk, but no taper

I woud really like to cut in back to the 2nd branch on the right and use that as the new apex

Ken

[Neverenoughtrees]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the advice, I need all the help I can get. Still new to this game.

It's an interesting thought, I hadn't considered that. It would solve the taper issue but the tree would be pretty bare in my rookie opinion.

Just to be sure I know which branch you're talking about, I've attached a close-up of the branch in question and marked it "new apex".

If I was to make this the new apex, I'd be left with only 3 front/side branches and the rear branch, all with foliage far from the trunk. Where would I go from there? Hope that new buds break from the trunk to create more branches? Wire remaining branches closer to the trunk to bring foliage back to the trunk?

I'm just worried where I'd take it once I chopped it's head off.

I'd love to hear any suggestions you may have.

cheers
Tom

[Boics]

Hi Tom.

Does your LP not throw new buds everywhere?
I know mine does.

For the past 3 months I've been removing new buds every fortnight.
From right at the trunk base to the Apex.

This allows me to grow new branches very easily.

[kcpoole]

That's th spot tom
I will do Burt tonight to see if I can transfer my thoughts

[Neverenoughtrees]

Boics and Ken,

Thanks again for the tips.

Yeah it does throw out a few from time to time, I just didnt want to start from scratch again. I guess I need to work on my patience a little more. I'm always in a rush to see results, not the best attitude in the bonsai game I know

Now we've established my disipline is pathetic, my next question is, if I wire the new apex up and cut off all the lower branches to start again, do you think the lower trunk will respond with plenty of new buds? Or, should I leave the lower branches on for the time being to keep the tree gunning along and wait for new buds to break?

Also, is it too late in the season to perform this work now? Should I wait for the next growth season? Early spring?

Tom

[Boics]

Hello Tom.

To be clear I'm NOT saying to remove all your lower branches.
I personally think these are suited to the size of tree and in proportion.

The potential "new leader" on the other hand is both positioned a bit awkwardly and is definitely a bit too chunky in comparison to the other branches.

My 2c regarding new branches would be some back branches and/or lower branching to add a bit of depth to the tree.
At the moment it looks a little 2 dimensional.

I'll further add that if Lilly Pilly (LP) grows anywhere near the same as mine that it would take only a season to add a new branch or two.
These things grow remarkably fast and are simply awesome material to work with IMO.

I too concur that taper is an issue with this tree and a more compact tree with a new leader will help your end goal.

Here is a thread of my little guy that I've been working on for only a few months: viewtopic.php?f=104&t=17097&hilit=+lilly+pilly

[Neverenoughtrees]

Evening Boics,

Nice little tree you have there.

Thanks again for the advice. I'm gonna think about this one for a while before making any big decisions. I don't want to rush in until I'm confident which option to take. The head chop seems to be the way to go, Ken's advice has made me think about the tree's future potential rather than a mediocre short term result.

I really appreciate all the advice and will happily post updates as the tree progresses.

cheers
Tom

[siddhar]

Kens advice is the go. Still pretty straight though. I'd trunk chop it. Will re-shoot with no trouble.

[dansai]

A few questions.....

How tall is the tree at present?

Can we see some photos of different angles?

Do you know what species/ variety it is?

It looks like it could be Syzygium australe 'Tiny Trev' which was developed as a hedging plant. If so cutting all the branches off and letting it bud, removing any branches you don't want and allowing the rest to grow strongly and freely without trimming will produce branches thicker than what you have in as a little as 12 - 18 months, (providing of course that my assumption that the branches you have are quite thin). Young branches can be easily wired into the desired shape. If you then cut them back they tend to produce masses of new buds on young branches. Mine can produce up to 5 or so buds from each node! Even on bare branches. I have more trouble keeping growth in check than getting it to grow. I started growing one in a literati inspired style and gave up after 3 months because of the mass of foliage it kept producing.

Good luck with it, and whatever you decide to do you have the makings of a good tree or 2.

[Neverenoughtrees]

Thanks for the advice dansai.

The tree is about 40cm high.

I don't have side and back pics at the moment, will have to get onto it.

Not sure if it's a Tiny Trev, would like to know.

I will post some updates further down the track.

cheers

[kcpoole]

Hi Neverenough

I got to do a virt tonight and have done a little chop for you:-)

I also took off the lower right hand branch as it comes from the inside of the bend and I feel the flow of the tree is to left ( with the apex moving left), but am not too sure whether i like it more with it off or on

Also the apex foliage could also be more rounded than what I have shown too.

anyway not my decision so happy

Ken