Banksia integrifolia. Possible overhaul

[Leigh Taafe]

Although the photography is brilliant - the picture does not do this tree justice!

[NBPCA]

Gday Grant. If you could give us an idea of how tall the tree is and how easily bent the branches are, that would be great.

Tree is about 90cm tall and banksia don't bend easily. I have tended to avoid wiring in the past except when very young; the branches not me.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

The tree had lost its sinuosity and interest to me so about 6 months ago I gave it a light trim and got lots of growth.

Banksia integrifolia var integrifolia.JPG

Today I trimmed off the unnecessary foliage but have left some temporary safety branches and a thickener in place.

IMG_5987.JPG

I intend to grow it mostly by clip and grow. I will take out the top sacrifice branch in a few months and the new leader will be one of the little branches to the left. I will gradually build in lots of twists and turns and end up with a small, sparse amount of foliage at its end,

IMG_5993.JPG

I have also reversed the front to the back; just a few changes.

Still lots of ways I can go and I will do a few sketches.

Grant

[GavinG]

"A Courageous Decision, Minister!" - well done! The straight part of the trunk was certainly the weakest. I'm surprised that nothing could have been done with the first left branch, but as you say, you've done a lot of work on it, and still not been happy. Just to clarify, the trunk after the major cut used to be the first back branch? It's a subtle movement there, certainly. Do you estimate 5 years, or 10 years before it fills out to what you want? I don't know how fast banksias will grow in a pot.

Thanks for posting.

Gavin

[Grant Bowie]

"A Courageous Decision, Minister!" - well done! The straight part of the trunk was certainly the weakest. I'm surprised that nothing could have been done with the first left branch, but as you say, you've done a lot of work on it, and still not been happy. Just to clarify, the trunk after the major cut used to be the first back branch? It's a subtle movement there, certainly. Do you estimate 5 years, or 10 years before it fills out to what you want? I don't know how fast banksias will grow in a pot.

Thanks for posting.

Gavin

I estimate about 1 year to get a good basic structure and elongation; then about another year for the refinement.

Yes the old upwards back branch is the new leader.

The subtle movement (to get some elevation) will then become some sharp bends with ups and downs etc.

Grant

[Boics]

This is going to be very interesting to see played out.
Thanks for making such a brave move and look forward to the documented future.
It's threads like this that I learn the most from.

Thanks Grant.

[Grant Bowie]

Update.

The tree put out a heck of a lot of growth and I had already trimmed it lightly to keep the energy going into the tip I wanted to grow. It sort of did but the tip got heavy and floppy so I took steps to correct.

IMG_6295.jpg

IMG_6296.jpg

IMG_6297.jpg

IMG_6298.jpg

Cut off lots of growth and rubbed off lots of buds

IMG_6300.jpg

IMG_6301.jpg

IMG_6302.jpg

IMG_6303.jpg

IMG_6304.jpg

Thats all for this week; literally. Banksias grow like crazy at this time of year.

In a couple of weeks time I might apply a bit more wire and bend further while keeping the growing tip facing upwards to grow better.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Next step.

IMG_6481.jpg

IMG_6482.jpg

This tree grows so quickly.

grant

[Peter Hobbs]

As Gavin said earlier Grant...'Courageous'... In your hands though I am sure it's safe...great work, as inspiring as always. Cheers, Peter