What A Waste Of Time!

[Leigh Taafe]

From a business point of view, wasting nearly 60 hours needle plucking, wiring, setting, and doing a few small carvings, on a tree like this is not a very good idea. From a hobbyist point of view, it is a great idea!

This tree has been let go for the last 2 years as it was quite badly affected by dothistroma. A couple of branches have been lost. It is in need of repotting (which will be done in spring), and was in dire need of wiring and resetting branches. After nearly 60 hours I have plucked all old needles and wired every single branch (which took most of this time) and done a preliminary set of branches, also some preliminary carving has been done to remove the old bark from the branches that have died back. The original low jin has been shortened back to a stub. The heavy looking right hand branch includes a back branch. Maybe a photo from above will help to illustrate this.

The tree is an Adcock's Dwarf White Pine dating back to 1965.

Obviously there is quite a bulge at the grafting point which will be address in time. I intend to use a combination of inducing scar tissue to "fatten" the skinny section, along with introducing a shari at this point to improve a natural taper.

Feel free to pick at it. It is a nice tree, just needs some attention after getting sick.

Cheers,
Leigh.

Before Shot

5NeedleB4.jpg

After Shot

5Needle.jpg

[anttal63]

hey leigh it is on its way to becoming a good tree again. you've worked hard and done a great job. its always worth it. i like your plan to marry the graft, that will make a big improvement. i look forward to this ones future.

[miyagiman]

thats going to be a great tree. you could attach some false bark from a similar tree above the graft temporarily, this would disguise it unyil the trunk fattens up a bit. 60 hours of perseverance is a credit to you, congratulations. dave.

[Steven]

An inspiring revamp Leigh! Is it yours or a clients?

S.

(based on just $20 per hour, this bonsai should have $1,200.00 added to the price tag)

[Leigh Taafe]

Hey Steven,

This is one of mine. The addition to the price tag is just my point! I would not be able to do that and expect to get paid off for my time. This one is a "Love Job"!

Cheers,
Leigh.

[Steven]

This on is a "Love Job"!

And training mate! Keeping your wiring skills razor sharp

It is a great looking bonsai but do you know why the original custodian persisted with it even with such a noticeable graft?

S.

[Leigh Taafe]

Not sure mate - the original custodian may speak up, he visits here.

I think this is one of the oldest Adcock's Dwarfs going around, correct me if I am wrong.

Cheers,
Leigh.

[kcpoole]

Very nice Leigh, and a credit to your skills

Well worth the time to spend but alas you are probably correct about not being able to recoup the real cost

Ken

[Di Clarke]

Hi there.
I’m new to the forum as i have been searching for Adcock’s Dwarf in Australia. The original was created by my late father in law Graham Adcock at Hillier’s Nursery.

I’m trying to locate one for his son. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[tgward]

after 14 yrs it would be interesting to see an update on this tree

[Leigh Taafe]

after 14 yrs it would be interesting to see an update on this tree

Hi TG, thanks for your interest.
I sold this one many years ago when I shut down the nursery. A Vietnamese consortium bought it for a business venture in Sydney. Sadly I do not have any contact details.

Cheers
Leigh