AusBonsai

Yep, that will work for sure!
Why not do it to one now, and keep the other for your layering practice. That way you get the best of both worlds and learn both techniques at the same time.
You can cut ash back to a bare stump and know for sure that you will get stacks of buds/shoots
I would personally be more aggressive with the root cutting on the ash if you decide to cut it back to a bare stump...and also bare root it completely
If you do cut back to a stump, you can cut horizontally initially and then cut on the diagonal once you see where the buds pop etc. Or you can cut on the diagonal to start with...up to you?
But if you do cut on the diagonal (when taking back to a bare stump), I would cut in the opposite direction to what you showed in your virt...if you are unsure what I mean, feel free to ask
Josh please only keep one for your layers and cut one back to a stump now! You will learn more in my opinion and it will be more enjoyable for you both
And 100% you won't regret doing so as it will be good practice for next year when I take you to get a few ash (that will be cut to a bare stump upon collection!) you will already know what to expect and have some experience rebuilding your tree
Not trying to pressure you though...your tree, your choice mate
Cheers, Dario.

Thanks heaps for the info Dario. Now ya got me thinking. Out of interest, why did you recomend cutting it the other way. Some thing like this?? I know that is a basic virt but you get the idea I hope
Got to go pick the kids up from school soon then coming home to do a big chop I think. What am I saying. Oh that's right these didn't cost me much so cutting 90% of the tree of won't hurt
I guess this is a good chance to try something new....

Bring on next winter I say

Thanks
Josh

Awesome Josh!
Good to see your seriously thinking about using one for layers, and the other to cut to a stump
Yeah I too am looking forward to next winter as I strained the tendon in my right shoulder and it has restricted the amount of trees I can collect this winter spewing, as I had my heart set on a couple of larger ones...so "bring on next winter!"
I will do a quick virt for you tomorrow mate to visually explain the diagonal cut etc.
But yeah, your virt is pretty much what I was suggesting for the diagonal cut.
Remember that you can cut it horizontally a tiny bit higher (5cm or so) than you envisage the eventual diagonal cut being. I am only mentioning this if you are unsure about exactly where or on what direction to do the angled cut.
Cheers, Dario.

Hey kidsandall,

. Oh that's right these didn't cost me much so cutting 90% of the tree of won't hurt

You are now a bonsai grower - Cutting off 90% off a plant INCREASES its value

Hey Josh sorry I took a while to get back to you
I did one rough virt, and another very rough virt for you.
I usually like my leader to start from the side of the trunk that has the bend in the trunk base, so that the new leader becomes a continuation of the trunk line...if that makes sense?
Your last virt is the side I would start the leader from
I am sure there is an easier way to explain what I mean, so sorry for going round in circles. I hope I haven't confused you I know what I mean, just can't seem to put it into words properly:palm:
The above statement "re starting leader from which side" is just my opinion. I am not saying the other side is wrong...but doesn't look correct to my eyes.
Also hard to tell from pics as opposed to actually seeing the tree in person
When you trunk chop I would bare root and drastically root prune...ash can handle it!
It will be interesting to see the trunk base fully when you bare root it...pics would be great!
My second virt is just a virt to hopefully illustrate my point, not suggesting you style the tree that way...it is early days still!
Best of luck
Cheers, Dario.

Thanks Dario, I really appreciate the time you have taken to do the virt and explain your thoughts. This is one thing I love with the bonsai community is the willingness to share expirience. By the way I love you virt, just hope I can make the tree do it justice. I think I understand your thoughts on this. I have been flat and am working on the northern side of Melbourne this week so making it hard to get anything done. Dark and cold when I get home. Maybe on the weekend I'll get to do something with it.
The most exciting thing for me is that my daughter is learning so much from this and having fun doing it.

Thanks
Josh

shibui wrote:Hey kidsandall,

. Oh that's right these didn't cost me much so cutting 90% of the tree of won't hurt

You are now a bonsai grower - Cutting off 90% off a plant INCREASES its value

Sorry Shubui, I missed this post. AWESOME Haven't told my wife yet that the tree she thought was a great buy is going to be a stump.

Josh

Hi Josh, sorry to hear you have been flat out at work lately

kidsandall wrote: This is one thing I love with the bonsai community is the willingness to share expirience.

For sure!! So many people have been so helpful to me, and I love that about Ab and the bonsai community too

kidsandall wrote:The most exciting thing for me is that my daughter is learning so much from this and having fun doing it.

kidsandall wrote: just hope I can make the tree do it justice. Maybe on the weekend I'll get to do something with it.

I am sure that whatever happens you will do a great job! As long as I learn something from what I do (good or bad) I am happy because it means that I am progressing and I am armed with more knowledge for my next bonsai experience/adventure.
Cheers, Dario.