liquidambars in winter

[craigw60]

Heres a pic of my liquidambar group in winter. The main tree is 95cm and the group is 1.2m long. Every summer I get highly annoyed with these trees as a result of the leaf size, then in winter I love them to bits. This group was originally put together by Ian Edwards and I have had them for 16 years, I would guess they have been in a pot for about 25 years. The bark on some of the trees is beginning to crack which takes a very long time for this species. I have never been entirely happy with the tray they are in and this year I was fortunate enough to buy a nice big hand made signed Japanese tray so after all these years I think they will finally go into a pot of the quality they deserve.
There are 7 main trees in the group, all the small trees are suckers which have come up since I have owned the group. I get lots of suckers each year but only keep the ones which I deem to be appropriate for the setting.
Craig

[kcpoole]

That is Verry Nice craig

Love it as each tree looks just like the real mccoy.
I also have a few, and repotted my twin trun one last weekend

Ken

[teejay]

I love this group. Isn't this the one you put in the yarra show?

I've never given liquidambars a go because of the leaf size, do they eventually reduce enough?

[Bretts]

It is a great Forrest Criag. I am looking forward to seeing in it's new pot. As good as it all is I noticed the first branch on the left of the big tree kinda fights with the tree next to it and considered cutting it off. I thought that upset the tree too much and left that.
Coming back and looking again I had noticed that the other minor thing that upset me was the flatness of the group. I considered spreading the two main trees on the left with the front tree moving forward more than the back one goes back. This creates a triangle which is more natural and it creates better depth. Then I noticed that this would probably create more space for the first branch on the left of the main tree as it would now be behind the left tree.
Seemed like a good idea so I thought I had to suggest it.

P1010478.JPG

[craigw60]

Thanks guys, Can you get the leaf size down Ken ? As Teejay mentioned it has always been a problem for me with these trees, every summer I wish they were tridents. I have worked the foliage on these trees so hard for years the leaves are just a little bigger than a 50c piece small for the species but still too big to be convincing.
Hi Brett when I repot the group I can separate the two sub groups but otherwise the trees have completely fused. What I would really like to be able to do is get a bit more of a lean on the main tree so it flows with the others. I know what you are saying about that branch on the main tree I reckon I would be able to rectify it with wiring, I've been threatening the group with wire for years liqiudambar are quite pliable.
Craig

[Jamie]

hi craig

i like this setting, i think the main tree is fine it is a centre focal point and doesnt need to lean like the rest of them. keen to see it in the new pot!

jamie

[kcpoole]

It feels like i defoliate about 5 times in summer to keep the leaves in check, but really i just constantly prune off the larger ones when they grow too big.

Defoliate completely about 2 = 3 times is no worry then just cut the big ones. Defoliate about early Feb and usually do not have to do it again after that as they slow down quite a bit

Ken

[senseijames]

Hi Craig, I have a few Liquidambars and have only just in the last year started to defoliate them as much as my Figs, they do take a little longer to regrow the new leaf, but generally it is smaller each time. cheers.
James

[craigw60]

I defoliate these trees twice over the summer months then cut off or in half all the big leaves as they develop. I have pretty much given up trying to get the foliage really small and am now concentrating on building ramification so I can enjoy the trees at this time of year.
Craig

[kcpoole]

now concentrating on building ramification so I can enjoy the trees at this time of year.
Craig

Good Plan

ken

[tex048]

Hi Craig

I really like this liquidamber group. I like how thw main tree is different to the rest (not leaning)
Its as if has grown straight and taller, and the other trees have grown on a lean to reach the sun out of the taller tree's shadow.

I have 2 liquidambers i have been working on and have been wondering how to go about trying to reduce leaf size, thanks for your (and others) thoughts on this has been really helpful.

[Mojo Moyogi]

Hi Craig,
I love the look of this group, I never get tired of saying that. It has beautiful rhythm and cohesion as a group setting, that for me, pushes all of the right buttons. Having seen this tree in the flesh a couple of times, it's winter image is many times better than when it is in leaf, although the look of the tree in autumn is lovely also. This group does actually have good depth from front to back, I think the photo has flattened it somewhat.

For me, what the tree does underline is that there is plenty of benefit in growing purely for winter view. Often in this country the potential winter image of trees is compromised at the expense of neatness during the growing season and some species that can have structual appeal as bonsai are overlooked.

Perhaps if there were winter exhibitions in the Southern states of Australia, as there are in Japan, many of us would open our hearts and minds to the grace and minimal beauty of deciduous trees with bare branches?

Here's hoping.

Cheers,
Mojo

[craigw60]

Hi Mojo, you and I are at one in our desire for a winter exhibition, we australian growers tend to use leaves to hide faults whereas what we should do is work towards exposing our deciduous trees during their dormancy. Thanks for the compliment re-my group.
Craig

[Mojo Moyogi]

So Craig, the million dollar question is: how do we get a winter exhibition? Assuming that you and I are not the only 2 bonsai growers in the country that think it is a good idea.

Cheers,
Mojo

[Makkanan]

Craig and Mojo....
Our [=your] show is slated for the third weekend in April next year.... yes, I know it's not quite winter yet by then, but perhaps by moving trees along temp & light-wise we can have a few in a pseudo winter display there, providing no enjoyable autumn foliage is sacrificed.... if a tree is ready for dormancy, can we just strip the leaves a bit early? (Wouldn't have worked this year, I think....my exotics took forever to turn.) OK, maybe a silly idea, but, hey if Mojo is offering a 'million dollar question' it's worth a punt.....