Leighton Green (group planting in progress)

[Craig.a.c]

Picked up 2 more Cupessocyparis leylandii today. Cut them back and wired up a little, going to make a group planting with them.
Not sure if I should leave it at 3 or buy 2 more and have 5 in the group.
Will post some pics after I plant them together.
Any input will be appreciated.

Cheers - Craig.

[Craig.a.c]

What is the minimum number of trees for a group planting? Is there are general rule on how many to plant together? Odd or even numbers?

[hugh grant]

I would say anything over 3 Is a group planting but that's just me, and deffinetally hav odd numbers it balances better and looks more natural then even numbers of trees.

Hugh

[Craig.a.c]

I would say anything over 3 Is a group planting but that's just me, and deffinetally hav odd numbers it balances better and looks more natural then even numbers of trees.

Hugh

Thanks for the input Hugh, much appreciated.

[Jamie]

i am very much concerned about how much has been removed off these, there hard at the best of times to make convincing trees, even harder to keep happy, i will be interested in how you go with them, not trying to put you of group plantings i think they are great! i think a different choice of material could be used myself but you have them now, as for the numbers im not sure about three being a group but i cant see why not.

[kcpoole]

What is the minimum number of trees for a group planting? Is there are general rule on how many to plant together? Odd or even numbers?

A group is 3 or more trees
if over 13 trees you can have odd numbers as at that level the eye cannot differentiate each tree in the group.
Under 13 then they must have odd numbers of trees

ken

[MelaQuin]

A group is up to 11, after that it's a forest. Personally I think counting trees once you pass 5 can be a bit silly. A good groupie can arrange 8 trees to look stunning. A bad groupie [like me] couldn't arrange 3 to look natural. I think sticking to numbers is using 'Rules' rather than 'Guidelines'. It is the end result and not the count that really matters... unless you do what one enthusiast did with a square pot: a lillipilly in each corner and a jacaranda in the middle - even spacing. No kidding folks.... and personally liked the result and wasn't impressed that the rest of us didn't. Fine in your own backyard. I have also seen groups where one tree slants across the others creating a natural forest look but offending the rules/guidelines. But it was done well and looked very natural and artistic and surely that is the highest criteria.

[Greth]

Any other opinions on how hard these are to grow, and experience with cuttings? I have one about 8 feet high in my garden, and remove a couple of lower branches each year, to allow space for other things, could easily try an airlayer instead of just cutting it off, if ppl think its worth a try. (These lower branches are about an inch thick at least now, would be good starters if I can get it to work)

[Jamie]

Any other opinions on how hard these are to grow, and experience with cuttings? I have one about 8 feet high in my garden, and remove a couple of lower branches each year, to allow space for other things, could easily try an airlayer instead of just cutting it off, if ppl think its worth a try. (These lower branches are about an inch thick at least now, would be good starters if I can get it to work)

sorry greth personally i think there is better material that could be used. taking an air layer or cuttings is near impossible to i believe, obviously it could be done but the right amount of hormone in strength etc. will be needed, and you would probably be looking at 6-18 months before signs of life if it even thinks about taking.

[Greth]

How many have you tried, jamie? And how?

[Jamie]

i had several of these when i first started in bonsai, i managed to keep them for a fair while before redesigning them and then they carked it. cuttings didnt take and ringbark methods showed promise for months then went brown and dry killing the whole tree.

[Greth]

Were you ringbarking the trunk or just one branch? This thing wont die, wouldnt be affecting 95% of it, it hasnt been upset by having a few of the lowest branches removed before.
Wouldnt upset me greatly if I killed the branch, its days are numbered anyway. And wouldnt upset me if it doesn't want to be bonsai, its being a great landscape conifer, and I could do with more of those, a successful layer would be $30 cheaper than buying another. Shade, precious shade.
I dont have access to an arboretum, I'm amusing myself by playing around with the plants I have on hand. Cas airlayer actually has some white tissue which looks like root, not callus, so Im beginning to think I might be getting an airlayer to work on a not particularly easy tree. Maybe I can try some more.
It might have been your beginner redesign which killed them, not a natural tendency towards premature death!
So I think Im leaning towards having a go.

[Jamie]

have a go for sure, there is nothing wrong with that, im just going on my personal experience with them where someone elses might be different.

the ring barks were on the trunks of the trees. i had to long a straight section on most of them. i was sure one would take but nothing.
as you said they do make good landscape trees and thats what i would keep them for.

[Glenda]

...........So I think Im leaning towards having a go.

Costs you almost nothing to have a go, Greth. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, they say.

Glenda

[Greth]

They do grow very straight, very apically dominant I think, ours had about two years setback after cockatoos broke the top off, but thats all cool too, its very windy here and the thing is stronger and sturdier after that. New leader is taking over.
Ok for formal upright, forget about movement mostly.
Have just set up a layer, just where the horizontal branch turns upwards, so may have some curve if it works. Cut back the branch a bit to a new leader at the same time, in for a penny in for a pound. Like to see if Craigs trees survive, although theres not many leaves left, could be nicely formal when they grow out, if they dont keep heading to the sky too much.