Collected Pyrus In Progress

[FlyBri]

Gday folks!

I've recently been doing some work on a Pear (Pyrus spp) that I collected about 8 years ago. I thought I'd share some photos of its more recent development.

Pyrus_Jan_07_01.jpg

In January of 2007, the tree was presenting as wholly uninspiring: largely taperless, and planted at a boring angle, this Pear needed a serious makeover. I attempted an air layer on the main right hand trunk, but it failed due to lack of interest on my part.

Pyrus_Sept08_01.jpg

Pyrus_Sept08_02.jpg

Come repotting time in 2008, I had already removed the right hand leader in favour of the left hand branch. There were some interesting bits, but I was far from happy with the appearance of the Pear.

Pyrus_Sept08_06.jpg

Pyrus_Sept08_03.jpg

Pyrus_Sept08_04.jpg

Pyrus_Sept08_05.jpg

Once removed from its training pot, the Pear presented some potentially pleasing angles, but the long, taperles (and branchless) trunk still needed something special, so I set about doing some virtual sketches for the tree's future. The thinking behind the addition of deadwood/carving was that it might greatly enhance the appearance of age, as well as breaking up the boring bits.

Pyrus_Sept08_06_Virt.jpg

Pyrus_Sept08_06_Virt2.jpg

Pyrus_Sept08_06_Virt3.jpg

The theory is good, but do I have the guts to go ahead with such a radical and irreversible process?.. Stay tuned to find out.

Thanks.

Fly.

[Jamie]

hey fly, im liking the "and another" and "kinda like this one" virtuals. they have great potential.
looking forward to see where you go with it mate.

[paddles]

I like the second one...

go for it fly, what have you got to lose? (As I'm always being told LOL)

[Bretts]

As I said before I don't like how the carving at the top makes a point that looks so weak in a strong trunk.
Any of the bottom carving would be ok but I think the only top I like so far is the first one.
I think it would be possible to carve deeper along the trunk but I just don't like the cut through effect.

[Jamie]

maybe the carving down the bottom of number 2 and the cracking of number 1?

possible option, think that may work

[Jester]

Can't believe the transformation. Love what you have done with the branches fly. I like the final sketch myself. Is this a manchurian pear? Whatever it is, please post a picture when it is in flower. This tree is going to look spectacular!! Just as a side note I also like the colour you have used for the background....It's like a washed matt dark grey. I will re-think the boring old white sheet and follow your example of this for much better results.

[kcpoole]

Can't believe the transformation. Love what you have done with the branches fly. I like the final sketch myself. Is this a manchurian pear? Whatever it is, please post a picture when it is in flower. This tree is going to look spectacular!! Just as a side note I also like the colour you have used for the background....It's like a washed matt dark grey. I will re-think the boring old white sheet and follow your example of this for much better results.

Yeah I like the background too, What is it fly?
If you get a chance have a look Jeremy Norbery in Holland, ( he posts on IBC), He uses a Stainless Steel Stove back with some nice lighting.

There was a post recently on creating Photo tents ( cannot remeber where), that uses a Blue backing board but one that is a gradient from light to dark Blue and that looked relly nice

[Psymo]

I like your third design too, very dramatic.

[Ash Barns]

Hello Fly.... This is a neat little tree and as you said quite a few possible fronts to it. With regard to the virts I feel that shari on a deciduous tree the size of this one does not add credibility as to why it exists. Some large trunks can sustain that type of work and carry it well although not in the symmetrical way this one is projected. The corkscrew look just doesn't work for me on this tree. Just my humble opinion.

Ash

[alpineart]

Hi Fly bri , nice looking trunk movement , excessive carving will take away from all the work you have already put in .Cheers

[Jamie]

i think if carving suits the tree whether it is a deciduous or conifer it shouldnt matter. if it works and compliments the tree, then it works. just my opinion

[FlyBri]

Gday fellow Ozwegians!

The theory is good, but do I have the guts to go ahead with such a radical and irreversible process?.. Stay tuned to find out.

As it turns out, I did have the guts to go ahead with the deadwooding of this tree... I understand the concerns of the nay sayers, especially Mr Ash with regards to the corkscrew effect on a deciduous tree. However, at the time I performed the initial work, I could see no other way of creating a sense of movement and/or variation on the long, straight portion of the trunk. As it stands in the sketches, the hollows are quite stark, but as the tree fills out and I manipulate the trunk a little more, I reckon I'll manage to get a believable finish. Give me 5 years...

Anyway, back to the photos...

Pyrus_Oct08_01.jpg

Pyrus_Oct08_02.jpg

Pyrus_Oct08_03.jpg

When I floated the deadwood ideas at bonsaiTALK, I was met with mixed reactions just as I am here. One suggestion was that if I was to proceed with the deadwooding that it would be safest if I did it in sections over a couple of years, in order to allow the sap flow to re-direct itself. I took this on board, and promptly reached for a blade...

Pyrus_Oct08_08.jpg

Pyrus_Oct08_09.jpg

Pyrus_Oct08_10.jpg

* * *

Spring seems to have come a little early this year, and last weekend I decided to repot the Pear. I was a little surprised at how little the roots had grown in the large tub, but was not overly concerned, as the tree is very healthy. One benefit of the small root system is that I can try the tree out in a a smaller pot...

Pyrus_Aug_09_01.jpg

Pyrus_Aug_09_02.jpg

Pyrus_Aug_09_03.jpg

I raced out to Orient Bonsai and bought myself a slightly larger pot in which to train the Pear for another year or two. Perhaps it will stay in this pot?

Pyrus_Aug_09_04.jpg

More work to be done this weekend, as I need to try to find a leader. I'm tossing up whether to prune it back now or wait for it to flower first (the buds are popping as we speak).

Stay tuned!

Fly.


* * *

Just as a side note I also like the colour you have used for the background....It's like a washed matt dark grey.

Gday Jester & Ken!

The backdrop for my photos is the wall beneath my kitchen window. When we bought our little fibro box, it was painted cream with maroon trims (our neighbour at the time said it reminded her of pus). We opted for a thick, gritty 'render paint' - from memory, the tint was called 'Bluestone'.

[aaron_tas]

awesome progression fly

it'll look sweeet in flower

[anttal63]

looking good in its new pot fly. i like this one very much! good work.

[bodhidharma]

Really nice to see the experiment going on. I think imagination like this is what makes great bonsai artists. Be willing to try anything.