Some Japanese trees.....
Posted: May 16th, 2009, 7:35 pm
As you all probably know from the nursery photos i have posted that i am currently in Japan.
I have been for the last few weeks working in a bonsai nursery. I have been doing a range of things but mostly styling and re-styling trees. This is my second time working at the nursery and this time around i am being let loose on a lot better material and have a lot more creative freedom. I basically work the tree and then my teacher critiques my work. Sometimes this means changing a few branches or cutting on or two off but most of the time he adjusts a pad or two and thats it.
I havent been taking that many photos of before and afters but i have a couple.... here are a few below....
Needle Juniper. This juniper had been up the back of the nursery for a few years and had become very overgrown. During that time someone had tried to graft shimpaku foliage onto the trunk and hence had let the needle juniper foliage grow rampant. The graft failed and here is what i was presented with after taking into the workshop.
And then after a day of work.
Needle junipers really live up to their name. I was covered in prick marks for a few days after...... Normally you wouldnt take off this much foliage but it is the growing season and this should stimulate backbudding.
Black Pine. This tree was bought from a customer who had had it at his house. He had not really done all the right things by the tree so it was quite weak and in need of a thinning out.
Before the work (bottom branches done...). Notice how close the foliage is? This means no light was able to reach inner branches and some had begun to die.
And after. Notice that there is now a lot more light able to get in. Also needles were plucked to strengthen weak growth and hold back the strong. The tree really needs a wireing but as the candles are forming and are quite delicate that will be left until winter.
The amount of foliage removed.
I dont have a before shot for the next tree but it was a simple clean up and rewire. It didnt really undergo a dramatic change just became neater. I really like this tree.
So that is a little taste of what i have been up to over here. Its a hard life working here with no days off and working 7-6 or much later, but working every day on such great material makes up for the long hours.... On monday we are going to Tokyo to buy a whole lot more trees that i will be working on. I will make sure i take more before photos and post them if i remember.
I have been for the last few weeks working in a bonsai nursery. I have been doing a range of things but mostly styling and re-styling trees. This is my second time working at the nursery and this time around i am being let loose on a lot better material and have a lot more creative freedom. I basically work the tree and then my teacher critiques my work. Sometimes this means changing a few branches or cutting on or two off but most of the time he adjusts a pad or two and thats it.
I havent been taking that many photos of before and afters but i have a couple.... here are a few below....
Needle Juniper. This juniper had been up the back of the nursery for a few years and had become very overgrown. During that time someone had tried to graft shimpaku foliage onto the trunk and hence had let the needle juniper foliage grow rampant. The graft failed and here is what i was presented with after taking into the workshop.
And then after a day of work.
Needle junipers really live up to their name. I was covered in prick marks for a few days after...... Normally you wouldnt take off this much foliage but it is the growing season and this should stimulate backbudding.
Black Pine. This tree was bought from a customer who had had it at his house. He had not really done all the right things by the tree so it was quite weak and in need of a thinning out.
Before the work (bottom branches done...). Notice how close the foliage is? This means no light was able to reach inner branches and some had begun to die.
And after. Notice that there is now a lot more light able to get in. Also needles were plucked to strengthen weak growth and hold back the strong. The tree really needs a wireing but as the candles are forming and are quite delicate that will be left until winter.
The amount of foliage removed.
I dont have a before shot for the next tree but it was a simple clean up and rewire. It didnt really undergo a dramatic change just became neater. I really like this tree.
So that is a little taste of what i have been up to over here. Its a hard life working here with no days off and working 7-6 or much later, but working every day on such great material makes up for the long hours.... On monday we are going to Tokyo to buy a whole lot more trees that i will be working on. I will make sure i take more before photos and post them if i remember.
just click a bunch of links and you will eventually find it.
