Overhaul of a 59 year old Mugo Pine.

[MattA]

Hey Grant,

I like where this is heading but am curious as to why you decided to go with such a radical restyling of this tree? Other than creating something with lots of jin which you have stated you do not presently have in your collection. Are there any other reasons that determined it was destined for the big chop?

Matt

[Grant Bowie]

The Jin, not in the upright postion. Bend it forward, and the bring the foliage around it leaving some above, like the phoenix rising.

Just my opinion for what it is worth.

Hi Pup,

its good to see a variety of opinions; isn't it.

With this tree, once i had decided to reoverhaul it, I have always been inclined to have the jinned apex higher than the live apex, with it showing lots of movement like the lower trunk. If it doesn't end up looking too flash (jin too thin looking etc) I still have the fall back position of shortening the jin.

I am off to the Zoo in a few minutes. 15 tons of snow was bought in from the Snowy Mountains for the Snow leopard and the Brown bears to play on yesterday. I'll get onto the tree this afternoon.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Hey Grant,

I like where this is heading but am curious as to why you decided to go with such a radical restyling of this tree? Other than creating something with lots of jin which you have stated you do not presently have in your collection. Are there any other reasons that determined it was destined for the big chop?

Matt

Yep,

i just want to get the best bonsai that I can see out of this material. I intend to keep it indefinately and be happy with it for the next 20 or 30 years.

grant

[MattA]

Hey Grant,

I like where this is heading but am curious as to why you decided to go with such a radical restyling of this tree? Other than creating something with lots of jin which you have stated you do not presently have in your collection. Are there any other reasons that determined it was destined for the big chop?

Matt

Yep,

i just want to get the best bonsai that I can see out of this material. I intend to keep it indefinately and be happy with it for the next 20 or 30 years.

grant

The best reason of all for doing the distance.

I have a tree that I have been trying to come to a decision about, move it on or go all out to restyle it, with a risk of destroying it entirely in the process (mainly due to my lack of technical skill). Time to put the theory into practice!

Thanks
Matt

[Grant Bowie]

The overhaul of the Mugo pine continues tonight.

We will not attempt to load any video tonight while we are doing the work as the combination of the old laptop and poor signal strength made it impractical. We will however download some photos.

Grant

[Mitchell]

We will however download some photos.

Grant

You better! I'll be hanging out for them, can't wait to see.

Edit- Perhaps you might have more success uploading them. Sorry.

[Grant Bowie]

OK,

RIMG0668.JPG

Signal was lousy so wasn't able to upload any photos at the workshop.

Did some carving using dremel and various bits. Cut a channel first, then plunged in with the router bit, then enlarged and smoothed, then sanded and smoothed.

RIMG0673.JPG

RIMG0670.JPG

Next prepared for heat bending of jin.

RIMG0674.JPG

Then applied blowtorch and started bending. Only set fire to the tree a few times!

RIMG0675.JPG

Some more bending to go but got started.

Leigh has a few more photos and some video to come.

Grant

[Pup]

I like the direction you have taken so far Grant. I am sure with your usual umph,( just watch the healing, not too much umph ) and with Leighs help you will get it over.
Then the pot needs to be changed and the foliage grown and Wal-lah you will have a very nice Muhgo Pine.

Looking forward to some more pics of the work.

Cheers Pup

[anttal63]

Coming along nicely fella's...
When burning i always wrap foliage in wet towels. Better to be safer than sorry!

[NBPCA]

I like the direction you have taken so far Grant. I am sure with your usual umph,( just watch the healing, not too much umph ) and with Leighs help you will get it over.
Then the pot needs to be changed and the foliage grown and Wal-lah you will have a very nice Muhgo Pine.

Looking forward to some more pics of the work.

Cheers Pup

Thanks Pup,

Yes I am being carefull as I don't want to damage the tree. I will put some more bend in the lower portion of the jin(easy) and then will have to bend up the upper portion(not so easy) because it will be dragged down by the lower bend. I have already bent the two lower stubs on the left down and it looks OK. Will shorten them soon. The jin at the back is swinging around and I will need to finesse that as well; plus the jin apex. Still lots to do.

Then the foliage. A few hours of work there!

More photos of course as it goes.

Grant

[NBPCA]

Coming along nicely fella's...
When burning i always wrap foliage in wet towels. Better to be safer than sorry!

Wet towels are a good idea and easy to handle.

Grant

[Gerard]

I love what you have done so far Grant, the original tree had great movement but was in some way disturbing. I believe that when the direction of movement changes so dramatically the tree loses it's credibility. The new design is much more natural and pleasing to view.

[Leigh Taafe]

Hi all!

Here are some more pics of last nights workshop! I love the one where he set it on fire!

Next I will be getting the videos on to youtube - stay tuned!

[Leigh Taafe]

Part 3 Video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmrFiH0CZaY

[Leigh Taafe]

Next video - Cheers until next week!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7DnDcN7yRE