AusBonsai

Hi Brett you certainly have that one growing well. How come the thread grafts failed ? Will be interested in the results from your approach grafts. Since seeing these trees in the kokufu books many years ago with their incredible bark I have always wanted to grow one but suspect I have missed the boat now as I imagine the bark comes only with considerable age.
Craigw

I won't be patting myself on the back until the leaves stay that healthy all through to Autumn and I get some nice colour. Fingers crossed that I have leaf margin burn soughted this season
After making my brain hurt I remember my first approach graft last year was very amateurish attempt only held on by sealing putty. The second attempt thread graft failed as coming in through the top of the tree in the deadwood and then turning to come out the side caused too much damage to the thread and it failed. Didn't help that the branch was a little small and I had to remove all the leaves.
Lets hope I do a better job today. Lots of well positioned branches to choose from so..... Think I have some time today to do a proper job of it.

I have no idea how old this tree is. Being one of Ray's field grown trees I would guess at 10 years old but figure it could be almost 5 years either way. It is an interesting question that nurserymen never seem to like. I think they are used to patrons being disappointed that the trees are not that old Out of curiosity I have asked a few times about some trees but not this one.

Job done. I used a die grinder to slot a nice tight hole for the scion then scarped just a little of the scion where it connected and secured with wire and plastic tube. Then sealed with putty. I am considering wrapping it with grafting tape as well just to be sure but it is in nice and tight at the moment. Maybe I should leave well enough alone

I hate that stuff to Brett I never use it. I reckon your graft looks nice and secure. With your horticultural skills you should get your tree through the summer unless we have a scorcher, I sure hope not.
Craigw

My horticultural skills didn't get me through any previous years. Fingers crossed this year.

Bretts wrote: My horticultural skills didn't get me through any previous years. Fingers crossed this year.

Hi Brett, everybody has black thumbs at one time or another. I'm pretty sure I wrote the foreword for the "Sunset Book of 1001 Stupid Horticultural Mistakes" .

Looking at the pictures of this tree out of leaf, I reckon that you need to do away with that branch up high on the RHS, I don't believe that the tree will look any good in winter with it there. Other than that, it is a nice trunk and nebari, there is no reason why it can't be a nice tree one day. I might have to go and see that Nesci fella and buy some playthings.

Cheers,
Mojo

I know what you mean about that upper right area. I have considered removing it several times but see a chance with further reduction and carving as it grows out of making it work in a broom form. I think it is worth a try to "make a fault a feature" for something a little different but time will tell.
I might have to make some decisions next season when I plan on doing a little more detailed carving.

This guy got a rough trim all over. First right branch still needs to thicken alot more but if you look at some of the first pics of the tree you can see it has come a fair way over the last couple of years.
I am in the process of grafting a branch on the left but I am starting wonder if I like it better without it. I am starting to like the idea of using the top left branches to come down and fill that spot instead. Still a few decisions to make with this one. Will give it general pruning this year to keep the strength where it is most needed but next year it will be time to do a little more carving and set the design.