Melaleuca linariifolia

[rch003]

Yeah i heard of people doing it to gum trees etc, but he sounded so sinister

Btw my trident maple is growing new buds down the trunk and up to 5 shoots up the top

[Mitchell]

It is sinister...


The reason for setting the outer branches on fire is because I noticed a mass of new buds on old wood, and wanted to direct strength to them. I could have just trimmed it back, but this is more fun.

new buds.JPG

Wrapped the outer branches with newspaper and set on fire. No aluminum on the new growth closer to the trunk to protect it, I like to live on the edge.
Here's a pic of the outer foliage I want gone, it's more than 60cm out from the trunkline.

old growth to burn.JPG

Here's some more shots of it going up.

burning.JPG

burning 2.JPG

The damage done, would be akin to a passing fire front, not a deep burn.

[Fish]

one word comes to mind.


Wow.

That is really using nature to grow a tree naturally, really effective. great job mate, please keep me posted

[Mitchell]

Thanks Fish, this is nothing though, Pup's fire technique is awe inspiring. Not sure how much foliage burning he does though, possibly mainly trunk work.


Can't wait to start blow torching the trunk, that will be a season or two away once I get the new closer branching established.

[Aussie_Bonsai]

looks like a great tree, i love the ruggedness of the trunk. At last we get to see how an australia native bonsai is created.

Can't wait to see this tree in the furture.

Regards,
Ben

[Mitchell]

Hi Aussie Bonsai, there are many great examples of how to create native bonsai on this site. This progression is by no means the best example of it and quite frankly would not advise the use of such techniques.

Let us see how this tree responds before placing anything here into gospel, as this is just the meanderings of a curious mind at work.
I am glad you are enjoying it though.

[Mitchell]

Interesting, possibly premature, but more back budding and rapid growth.

[MattA]

Yeah i heard of people doing it to gum trees etc, but he sounded so sinister

He is sinister & evil beware or he may set your trees on fire

Fire, a great way to prune out the messy little twiggy stuff on Mel's as well as many other trees, just make sure its a species that can take it & will backbud.

The bonus is you get to spin people out by torching your trees in front of them.

Mitchell, that photo of the buds pushing the bark is amazing, I always love seeing that sort of detail, just wish i could take a photo

Matt

[Aussie_Bonsai]

great work mate, i don't think i'll try the fire technique, because i'd probably burn down the house by accident

Ben

[Mitchell]

Thanks guys!


Just a little update shot.
This wasn't there when I did the burn. I don't necessarily believe it has anything to do with the burn, perhaps just because it is a massive Mel.

Not bad for three days growth and worth a photo. I find it interesting how the shoots just punch themselves out of the bark.

[kcpoole]

Verry Cool Mitchell
Yep the way the tiny soft shoots come thru the bark is one of the wonders of plants
Also pretty cool how a shoots pushes the hard bark out of the way on a Pine

Ken

[Mitchell]

I can watch this tree grow, left for work at 8am checked it, then came back just the 7 hours later to noticeable growth. All shoot grew 5mm in 7 hours....!!! Some as much as a 10mm

Trunk is now popping buds the whole way down it to the base.

[bodhidharma]

Great find Mitchell. I will watch on with interest to see how it comes along. Oh, by the way about time you traded up to Wild Turkey

[Mitchell]

10 days growth from the last shot above when it was chopped. Both shots with 20 cent piece for comparison.
Impressive hey.! ?!!

[Mitchell]

"Click" "Click" "Click"