AusBonsai

Thanks Guys
I look forward to trying that stuff out Bodi and I will be sure to remind you come next season

The raft is an idea that could work Kvan. I do have another raft English Elm though.

Awesome tree Brett, and a really nice story to go with it. it means much more ( at leat to the owner ) if there is a story behind the tree and this is a ripper.

I love the strong upright trunk, with old craggy Bark. Not all trees need to be as small as we can make them! If the story behind it dictates that it is a taller more muscular tree then keep it that way

Ken

Sweet memories Bretts, nice tree and sounds like it suits Shaynes character, hope to see it progress in the future.

Thanks Guys
I do enjoy the challenge of making a tree out of what you are given instead of just chopping back and making it how you want.
Don't want to get too soppy here but here is a pic of Shayne. Tall of Stature with lots of Character He looked rough as guts but he would soon charm anyone over I know he would rather I show you a picture of the Brougham smoking it up at the Nats but I can't find one at the moment.
He was the only guy I knew that made a mustache cool. I turned up one day to find he had shaved it off. It was hilarious to find out that he had shaved it off because his young daughter would not give him a kiss and his Wife told him it was the moustache. Even funnier when I was told she still wouldn't kiss him clean shaven. God he loved that girl.
Leaves behind A wife Deb and daughter Ceayne. How they could ever think of replacing him God knows!
Edit:What I mean to say is There are not many in this world like Shayne.
He never drank and told me the reason why is that if he was drunk and a friend rang up for help then he would not be able to help them. Me I went to his place got drunk and then rang the misses to drive for 1/2 an hour and come and pick me up

To have friends like that is worth being around, for them as we have so little time.

In reading this you had that guy on a throne where he is watching over you and yours and his.

Now what you do to his memorial tree is give it the stature it needs. A crown the top of the tree from two thirds up needs foliage coming forward so you end up with a full top not empty like now.

Cheers and may your god bless and keep you safe, hang on to the memory with love. Pup

Thanks Pup
I agree with what you are saying. I had to remove some fresh branches opposite the second branch on the left and I did not like the hole it left as well as the hole further up on the left. Tried to hide with some rear branches and that high drooping branch on the left for now but hoping for some optune budding It was a pity to get rid of the rounded crown it was looking good but I figured it was necessary for now to encourage the lower branches to grow. I think I can fill in the top once I grow the branches out that are there.
Something like this I think Edit had the wrong pic

After the styling last year this guy got a repot and it was chockers with roots. Took it back to the bare essentials and am happy that it worked out OK with the new angle I had in mind. Took some thought to think of the right pot for this tall tree but I am happy for now.
Since repotting I am considering taking of the two lowest branches on the left for more of a literati feel but will see in time.

Got another picture of this guy today as it is coming into leaf. Seems I did the same last year I will make sure I take a pic when in full leaf this year

Dam I wish I could find a nice easy area to get good pictures of my trees Maybe I should reduce the exposure or something to get rid of the brightness?

Nice tree Brett
You need to reduce the light comin in to the tree.

I would put up shade between the tree and sun then you can open up the aperture on the camera to allow more light in

I would also drape you cloth over the stand so you do not have different colours on the bottom of the photo ( Backdrop, Grass, trurnatable) etc

Ken

Thanks KC, Mainly I get the basics of getting a good pic but always walk around in circles just trying to work out where to take the pic. The roller door is ok for pre-bonsai stuff but will not show a tree off.
I noticed a couple of people over seas have a pull down screen at the end of their hoop house and that seems like a great idea. If I have a designated spot that I know then I can start mucking around with settings and such.

I am starting to think I should put something on the roller door so I could just pull that down and have a decent backing in the same spot.
I guess Black would be the best all round colour to start with as a backing. I can't think of anything else at the moment to put on the roller door that would roll up with it but black plastic.
Any other ideas as I would like to attach it a little better than just sticky tape.

Finally remembered to get a pic of this in full leaf.
If I get good colour this year I will do another
Still a way to go with the right shape for the silhouette but it is getting there slowly.
Time for another repot next spring and I will adjust the angle again.

Hi Brett, it's coming along very nicely mate, good job

hey brett, looking great! Just wondering, are you planning on making a hollow where the big scar is? I think it could add a nice feature to your already interesting tree. Just thought I would put my opinion out there

lovely tree brett and looking real nice

Ken

Thanks
It seems it has been a while since it had a full wire, maybe never since I had it so I think a repot full wire and light trim will be on the cards come spring.

Yes Luke I think i will carve that scar a little hollow. There is also a section at the very top left that I think I can reduce to make the trunk much lighter at the top. I will have a few trees due for detail carving come spring so hopefully I can get my eye working right doing them all about the same time

Oh since I will be repotting next spring any ideas for a new pot would be very timely