Shimpaku tidy up

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,

Sorry but no older photos.

I bought this Shimpaku from Trevor Mcolm in late 2011 or early 2012 as nursery stock as a backup workshop or demo tree. It had two main trunks; the taller which was another 40 to 50 cm taller. It had plenty of branches and was well grown and healthy.

In 2013 I cut the tree down by almost a half in overall height and compacted the smaller trunk on the right.After some good growth I potted it into the present pot to help with the styling and compacting process.

IMG_7625.jpg

In late 2014 I did a major wire job and some of it was then removed a few months ago. Minor wire that wasn't cutting in was left on and the tree was allowed to grow unchecked this season till yesterday when it was trimmed back. It had growth extensions all over the tree like the ones photographed below.

IMG_7627.jpg

The apex is actually a jin but it is totally hidden by the foliage.

It will need another wire job soon before the branches thicken up any more and really set the style. I will persist with the quirky second trunk and its two low branches. I will try to delineate more pads of foliage and cover the skinny branches that can be seen. It has back budded a little after the cutting back and these new growths will be incorporated into the style in time.

Grant

PS. The pot will be replaced with a slightly smaller, shallower, flared pot that is more stylish and lighter looking...

[kcpoole]

Lovely tree Grant and I do like the second trunk.
It would be quite a plain jane without it I think
Ken

[Reece]

[lackhand]

Very nice, Grant. I think the second trunk makes the tree.

[Grant Bowie]

IMG_7630.jpg

Starting to pull down branches more; except one branch on the right hand side that i have elevated and split into a number of levels.

Need to shorten the right hand branch on the 2nd trunk. It will match better with the new little apex on that branch.

Grant

[Ryceman3]

Lovely tree Grant and I agree with the consensus on the second trunk, adds a bit of interest which works well.
I feel like I have seen a certain Banksia Integ lurking in this pot (from a few years ago) in another of your posts??!? Not sure I love it but I do love the trees you put in it!

[Grant Bowie]

IMG_7635.jpg

IMG_7633.jpg

Finished for now.

From experience it will now take about 2 years for the foliage to really fill out and give me more scope in sculpting, thinning etc to achieve a good outcome.

Grant

[Pup]

Very nice Grant it has reminded me that I have a few in need of this treatment.
So it looks like a busy few months, we have Tony over next month might get his help with a juniper feomina,
Seeing as he likes a challenge. There will be no talking just action I don't care who bloody well asks what question of me.
I am sick of being picked for helping some one and told to shut it.

SO NO MORE.

Cheers Pup

[Grant Bowie]

Very nice Grant it has reminded me that I have a few in need of this treatment.
So it looks like a busy few months, we have Tony over next month might get his help with a juniper feomina,
Seeing as he likes a challenge. There will be no talking just action I don't care who bloody well asks what question of me.
I am sick of being picked for helping some one and told to shut it.

SO NO MORE.

Cheers Pup

Sounds like there is a bit of a back story there Derek.

I hope you are well and back to enjoying the doing of bonsai.

Grant

[Pup]

Very nice Grant it has reminded me that I have a few in need of this treatment.
So it looks like a busy few months, we have Tony over next month might get his help with a juniper feomina,
Seeing as he likes a challenge. There will be no talking just action I don't care who bloody well asks what question of me.
I am sick of being picked for helping some one and told to shut it.

SO NO MORE.

Cheers Pup

Sounds like there is a bit of a back story there Derek.

I hope you are well and back to enjoying the doing of bonsai.

Grant

Yes there but not here, yes I am, but it still bloody hot to be sitting outside.

[SLR5000]

Hi Grant,
Great tree, you have done a great job. Love the jin. I just want to know if you know any history about the pot. I have seen a few of these pots in my travels. It has an unusual red pattern around the middle of the pot. I been told they are chinese.
Do you know the age etc.

Lance

[Grant Bowie]

[quote="SLR5000"]Hi Grant,
Great tree, you have done a great job. Love the jin. I just want to know if you know any history about the pot. I have seen a few of these pots in my travels. It has an unusual red pattern around the middle of the pot. I been told they are chinese.
Do you know the age etc.

Lance[/quot

It is a modern Chinese reproduction of a Japanese pot that is relatively rare. I have seen only two of the original pots, one in Australia and one in Japan. The Chinese pots were in stock a few years ago at Ray Nescis but I am not sure about now. There was a green version as well in smaller sizes. They are heavy as well.

The Chinese pots are only moderate quality compared to the original Japanese pot and the red colour is fading over time. The original Japnese pots were deeply indented and the colour somehow imbedded.

However I think they were value for money and interesting.

Grant

[NAHamilton]

I really like the way the little trunk on the side comes down to the level of the pot. It's a good lesson for me in keeping the unique bits as I could imagine my self having cut it off.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Nigel

[Grant Bowie]

I really like the way the little trunk on the side comes down to the level of the pot. It's a good lesson for me in keeping the unique bits as I could imagine my self having cut it off.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Nigel

I must admit the low branch is a common foible on some of my trees.

I will keep,it for ten or twenty years and if I don't like it I can cut it off then,

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

IMG_7658.jpg

In its new pot. Tokoname by Sanpou; he makes lovely pots.

IMG_7660.jpg

Stand by me; made out of Jarrah about 15 years ago.

Grant