Peter Adams Workshop Trees

[Mojo Moyogi]

Brett, my 2 cents worth,
Lovely tapering trunk. Great building block for a quality tree. Mr Adams would remove the existing branches and build a great new set with taper to compliment the trunk within 5yrs. You could too!

MM

[Bretts]

It is a fast grower that back buds like crazy so that is a good possibility but the branches don't have to be removed to create taper just shortened I would think?
What about the hornbeam?

[Mojo Moyogi]

Brett,
Shortening the branches will provide branch taper but the ascending angles will remain where the branches exit the trunk. Especially on the RHS. I'll try a virt when I have a minute.
Cheers
MM

[Mojo Moyogi]

I haven't given the Hornbeam much thought yet. I'll have a look at that too.

MM

[scott]

Hey Brett, I dropped by Nesci's today as planned and Ray let me sneak in and take a look at what was happening in the workshop (I spent some money so he was feeling generous). The assortment of trees was pretty amazing and I think either of your trees would suit just fine.

I'm still wishing I'd had time to attend because it looked really good! Have fun!!!

[Bretts]

Good one Scott. Looking forward to seeing what you bought.
Would have been great to see you there.

[aaron_tas]

What about the hornbeam?

well again not having the tree face up...

i love the movement in this photo, but i might want to rotate the tree just a little so the two branches on the left are under the canopies above a little more.

brett's tree1movement.jpg

i think you mat have to lose one of the long nebari to achieve this, or you could have it above the soil, or wire it, or layer more roots

the style i think would suit the line of the trunk might be just a little bit windswept, just to suggest a little movement around the trunk from the branches on the right, but also with the strongest branches on the left with soft movement left...

brett's tree1editedstyled.jpg

just an idea

[anttal63]

hey pal you're keeping us hanging? whats the go?

[Bretts]

I got home last night mate. I will get some pics and update very soon.

[kcpoole]

cmon Brett
hurry up:-)

[Bretts]

Sheesh let a man put his trees away. It is not easy finding room on my bench anymore

OK without much discussion the Hornbeam was settled on. I do love this tree As the picture was being taken I mentioned my apprehension of the result I had with the leader. Peters reply was these trees don't really have leaders which had me wondering what he had in mind. A broom form?
My turn come and Peter quickly drew a sketch of the plan for the day.

peterhornbeam.jpg

peterhornbeam1.jpg

This is very close to what I had in mind for this tree maybe the leader does not progress up as much as I was thinking. I am very happy with Peters idea of the tree.
If you look at the little scribble in the corner this is where Peter explained how to wire and then cut back to get interesting natural movement in branches. Wire let grow about 100mm then cut back and wire again.

There was only about 40mm to be removed of the middle back branch and also a nice carving technique to solve any swelling in the healing of the trunk.

hornbeam2.jpg

Carving back the inside of this branch took away any swelling in the trunk and also added more curve to the trunk. I think this technique will come in very handy with deciduous growing.
So then the whole tree was wired and lots of little twisty turns put in.

hornbeam.jpg

hornbeam1.jpg

I will be doing a thorougher root work over in a month or so when the time is better. I think I will try the tooth pick root growing technique to get a couple more roots growing at the back to help with long term development as well.

[Bretts]

The seiju did not get off so lightly. As I had time to spare I thought I would start by bringing that thickest branch down more as we all thought it should. Kate was walking past who is also very talented and I asked her what she thought of it. She stated it was fine where it was as deciduous trees grow upwards to start with and then down. She also stated that the branch chop I had done which I thought was too far away from the trunk and caused an unnatural curve was fine. I put some pressure that I agreed with what she was saying about deciduous trees but I was somewhat perplexed because Peters and most of the bonsai I see do have the more horizontal branch in this position. Kate was still adamant it was fine in the position it was and only the secondary branches needed to come down some. Ray had the same opinion as Kate and I was somewhat confused. I grabbed Clinton as he walked past and explained that I was trying to find someone that agreed with me that the Branch needed to come down. But he disagreed as well. Hmm It did not help that someone told me I would not be able to bend it down. "Ill get the bugger down" I said, which got a funny look from the person who obviously never heard of a wedge cut!
So I am still confused with a pair of cutters in my hand and looking for something to do. Not a good scenario when it comes to me and bonsai Almost every branch started to look in slightly the wrong place Well if I took that branch of I might as well take that branch of and one followed another until I had a bare skeleton left with really only the two main first branches left.
I showed Lynette sitting next to me and whipped it out to the car before anyone else saw it, especially Peter
Hopefully I will have the skeleton of branching back by the end of the next growing season in better positions because as I stated it is a profuse back budder and vigorous grower.
I still think that branch should come down so I will continue to give it much thought.
Sorry to the guys that put lots of effort into the Virts but you should know by now I love the Carpinus. (sometimes you need to be careful how you use the common name )

seiju.jpg

seiju1.jpg

[aaron_tas]

Sorry to the guys that put lots of effort into the Virts

no dramas, and don't be sorry, i enjoy doing these and they don't take me too long anyways...

i hope you had fun @ the workshop

[kcpoole]

Very nice outcome Brett
I think 3 out of 4 should cement the decision for you as to bring the branch down or not.

Ken

[Bretts]

I have more pictures of thge workshop on Monday I will post in another thread soon.
Thanks for the kind comments