Pine Hebel Complilation - test 1

[wattynine]

With a little intrepidation I present this;
the tree started on this post ; viewtopic.php?f=131&t=19160 and was a test on suppleness and bendability on these recently acquired Pines.

I still have my fingers tightly crossed as the health of the tree was not great but it was in need of repotting due to the clay content of the soil it was in. So I hope it bounces out of dormancy and is all good...........fingers crossed.

This being the first test case (or nearly) on what can be achieved with the Hebel idea that has been circulation in my head for some time.
It has shown me what can and cannot be done with Hebel, but more so the improvements that can be done for I hope tests 2,3,4,...........


The tree and the original solid block.

1.1.jpg

so I had an idea in my head

2.2.jpg

let the compilation begin,

3.2.jpg

a little later on

4.1.jpg

pretty much the carving done - 6 hours.
No power tools were used in this, just decided to keep it "old school" for the trial.

5.1.jpg

some colours added

6.2.jpg

and the two together again, to put my mind at ease.

7.1.jpg

Waterproofed and about 8 hours work, now to put it aside for a week, till I can actually put the tree in.

8.1.jpg

And by the power of the internet, it's a week later

9.1.jpg

from the top

10.JPG

Another view

11.JPG

A little "cork-screwy" from one view

13.JPG

Another view

14.JPG

anyway, loads of fun, hope you enjoy.
Watty

[Sean M]

That's some nice carving. I have 2 blocks that have been sitting around for about 5 years waiting for inspiration. I think you just gave it to me

[Steven]

Well done Watty, very unique! Is it going to be hard to water?

Regards,
Steven

[EdwardH]

Very clever, I like what you've done. Re-potting might be awkward with the pots design. As hebel is very soft, are you concerned about potential breakages or the pot just eroding away?

[kcpoole]

Very cooll watty.
Interested to see what the longgevity will be like

Ken

[wattynine]

Thanks for the interest guys, to answer some questions and dispel some myths.
1. Sean - good luck, glad to be of some help, get carving.
2. Steve - by design I have made the top rock formation around 2 cm smaller in circumference than the "bowl" where the plant sits, so any water that hits the top of the formation
runs down rivulets that have been carved into the top and down onto the plant dripping from the formed ceiling. Hoping this will suffice. still under test phase.
3. Edward - I have purposely kept the "bowl" area for the plant quite shallow for the purposes of re-potting, shouldn't be (hoping) a problem.
4. Edward and Ken - The whole thing has been rendered with GP Cement with several colours as indicated. This sets like concrete on the exterior of the formation, when used as a
building material this is what makes it a stable material. I am hoping it will do the same for me in this condition. As it has been coated it is literally like
concrete and no "bits" should fall or break off and the longevity shouldn't be a problem (I hope).

A quick re-direction to this post ; viewtopic.php?f=133&t=18485&hilit=+hebel
this pot is now 12 months in the full weather and doing well. Also did not treat this pot for water proofing as I have done with the above.
Food for thought.
thanks for reading,
Watty

[alpineart]

Hi wattynine , mate nice piece of carving , that look terrific . I have done a few of these Hebel works , about to re-pot 2 pines . It will be interesting to see if the roots have penetrated the render and how easy they will be to remove . The flat trays i used render on were quite difficult to remove the plants as they grasp the textured render , penetrating any weak spot and stick like mud to a blanket . Hope it works out well .

Cheers Alpineart

[peterb]

Hi watty
Mate that looks really good , I've got 2 blocks of hebel here that I've wanted to use for long root over rock planting what did you use to carve your hebel and then how did you render it, did you just smear the render with your hands or how
regards
peterb

[wattynine]

Pete, I'll start by stating, "I am no expert" this is only my third or fourth "play" with Hebel.
Cutting it is the easy part and I use whatever will cut it, my tools consisted of a hand saw, a hacksaw, three small wood chisels, a screwdriver and a rasp.
I will admit the first coating was "slopped" on as a base colour, then the rest was painted, splashed on.
Hope this helps
Watty

[peterb]

Hi watty
Thanks mate, think i might go and play with me carving tools
Regards
Peterb

[wattynine]

Just "fessin' up", the pine died, sort of expected it but still a shame. the Hebel block lives on to fight for another tree, watch this space.

Have withheld photos to protect the innocent.

Watty

[Boics]

Good on you for telling it how it is Watty.