AusBonsai

I have a stack of Kokofu books which i wade through regularly for inspiration and came across an enticing tree which i have wanted to use as inspiration. The project presented itself on the weekend of our show when one of our members displayed a tree which i thought had amazing potential to do something with. This Pinus rigida was the perfect subject to create a masterpiece for a future generation. A deal was struck and the tree changed hands for a project radiata i have been working on. The tree was Raffia'ed and wired and manipulated into place. It was slow going as i did not want to hear a "CRACK" to herald in a snapped tree. The project took only five hours but i reckon it will take 20 years to achieve a final result so someone will get this tree in my will.

Great starting place mate! I actually like the trunk line you have produced more than your inspiration tree.

I have only recently begun experimenting with raffia and I LOOOOOOOOVE it! Had a callistemon branch that needed to be moved drastically or be removed, which i had cracked quite badly a few months ago trying to move it with just wire. "Raffia'ied" and into position without a sound.

What's the black tape that you have in the area's of the heaviest bends on this pine? Is it electrical tape?

Ces wrote:What's the black tape that you have in the area's of the heaviest bends on this pine? Is it electrical tape?

Hi Ces, it is electrical tape. Just an added insurance to stop the raffia from separating when i bend it. I bend in stages leaving the tree to rest until i get it where i want it. I have noticed separation in some instances.

I'm very happy to see the inspiration that we talked about at the show has come to fruition for you. looks like you have achieved the shape you spoke of, well done on the acquisition, hope it responds well to the setting. miyagiman.

WOW, nice one Bodhi!!

You done good mate !!!

miyagiman wrote:I'm very happy to see the inspiration that we talked about at the show has come to fruition for you

It was a lot of fun Miyagi. The tree is very forgiving, i think.

NathanM wrote:WOW, nice one Bodhi!!

anttal63 wrote:You done good mate !!

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I want to start doing different looking trees that will have to be finished by the next generation.

Bohdi this will be awesome ! Great work....

20 year foresight.. wow now that is dedication to the art

Love the serious bending! Did you do that in progression ?

eliass wrote:Bohdi this will be awesome ! Great work....

I certainly hope so and deep down i know this will be a quality tree in time.

The Specimen wrote:20 year foresight.. wow now that is dedication to the art

Love the serious bending! Did you do that in progression

I would like to think that somebody in Australia will inherit a quality tree and take it to the next level. If you mean was it bent over time? no, it was manipulated in one session. I just worked over the tree bending a section, leaving it, move on to another section and then come back to the first bend until i got it to where i wanted it.

bodhidharma wrote: Thanks for the encouragement guys. I want to start doing different looking trees that will have to be finished by the next generation.

This is the attitude we need adopt more in Australia, thank you Bodhi!!

The tree is doing everything right and has powered along. I have made decisions on the branches it has given me, which, by the way, are perfectly located as to where i want to take the tree. I have taken off the the second, larger branch, which was plan "B" and can now proceed with plan"A". I might get this sucker down to 19 years. Oh, wait, nearly a year has gone since i posted it, make that 18 years.

Good to see people getting that dramatic design-excitement and prepared to see it through-most rewarding

I have now got this out of raffia and wire and have started the lower end of the tree. I got a shock when i repotted it (as it has not been touched since i got it) and it had hardly any root system at all. The soil it was in was very water retentive and i hope it will survive.

Nice progress Bodhi

don't you just hate the first repot of a tree that you have no idea of the soil condition.
Hope for the best

Ken