AusBonsai

This is a fig tree that my wife grew in a pot for 20yrs and I have just convinced her to let me bonsai it. I am going for a literati style and am trying to think of it both as a piece of calligraphy and also how the weather might have shaped it, not always successfully .

My thoughts: For a tree to grow in a shape like this it would have had to be subjected to strong winds from time to time, and a consistent cross wind most of the time. I would expect to see broken branches and scars and am trying to replicate this.

The main branch is wired to create movement in all three dimensions, and also to copy the kinks in the lower trunk. I will jin the upright branch next summer to make it look like a recently broken branch, or an upstroke from a calligraphy brush.

I think the big problem is the roots which are a bit tangled. I will start washing some of the dirt away and cutting these back shortly. I have never really liked the big C shaped root, however it does suit the movement of the tree. I also need to think about how to carve the scar from where I removed the lower branch. I'm open to suggestions on how to improve this.

Cheers
Allan

Hey Allan,

I applaud your use of a fig, usually seen & grown as a lush tropical tree the story a literati tells is very different. I would really like to see some pics from a few other angles because I think instead of hiding the scar you could make a feature of it.

Matt

Allan wrote:

Image0221.jpg

I am going for a literati style and am trying to think of it both as a piece of calligraphy and also how the weather might have shaped it, not always successfully .

Far better to either chop the trunk or use it to build an informal upright type tree, not literati .

Interesting Concept, Literati Fig
Do not know how it will turn out, but hey, its been growing for 20 years so another few to try something different is not much.

The Chop and restyle can happen later if you decide to change your mind after trying it.

Ken

Allan,
Anxious to see how you proceed with your design thoughts.
Jerry

We've got a benji styled similar, but you will probably find it hard to keep in check as a literati. I call ours an upright cascade. chris

Chris,
Very nice tree!!! Which cultivar is this?
Jerry

Not sure which cultivar it is Jerry. It was given to us as a 20+ year old pot plant.This one has very little if any die back.

chris

Chrisatrocky - that is a beautiful benjamina. I usually don't like benjamina's, but I think you have changed my mind. What are its dimensions?

Glenda

Thanks Glenda, this tree is one that you like or you don't. Thankfully most do like it. Dimentions- H 680mm, W of canopy 560mm, trunk at base 70mm, root spread 260mm. We are looking for a nice pot for it.

For my , have a look at this Graham Potter youtube demo illustrating how he rectified a similar concern in an English Hornbeam. I really love watching Graham's clips and they have given me inspiration to do things i wouldn't normally do. Same ideas as your fig, but you'd need to do a little more carving......... fun!!

I have just picked up an Ozito 'dremel' copy from the green shed to do some carving in the coming few months! (insert evil laugh here... )

Link to tube is here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfVpcJCB ... JZpxrhQ%3D

Let me know what you think of this idea.

Cheers

Stewart

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions guys. Will try this to see if I can get it to work and fall back to the informal upright if it goes pear shape.

Chris your benji looks great.

Matt here are a few more pictures of the scar. Stewart the video on carving is very good. Looks like I could use a Dremel for Christmas 8^)