AusBonsai

On the way to the September club meet a year ago I stopped by the side of the road and pulled this up. It sat in the recovery bed for summer and then the second trunk got sawn off. While the little trunk didn't make it through the ordeal the bigger on powered on. It was planted at the same angle it is now to help keep the exposed wood drier. But it had a big area and it was starting to rot, which combined with the scares it had from its life by the side of the road, left some styling problems. I didn’t have any idea about the direction I want this tree to go. So I started carving out the problems. The bark on the top of the stick had been damaged (or sun burnt) which is why the top is carved, as well as some rot. The bottom half of the tree is just chasing the rot away with carving that gave it the current shape.
I am a lot happier now than when I started working on the tree last week. I think the slanting style will suit the tree with its carving. The trunk is still very straight but I am hoping that isn't as obvious now. The middle of the tree is missing branches to make the overall shape. I am hoping that there will be some budding in the middle but I am also thinking about trying a thread graft.

Can I use the thread branch off the same tree to make the graft? I would have to go dig up a spare tree if I can't use the tree as its own donor.
Is there any reason to keep the top? Getting rid of the straight part has some merit but then I could try twisting in a bend if I got rid of some more wood.

I have learnt a lot from this freebie I hope it survives now.

Any suggestions, opinions and criticisms would be welcome.

Maybe not a cherry Time8??
Leaves and bark look much more like a plum which are quite common roadside seedlings. Won't make any difference to the style but plums are much more hardy than cherries so it will make it far easier to look after.

I haven't had this one flower yet, so you're right I'm not 100% about the cherry part. We do get both plums and cherry beside the road. I say cherry because the leaves are small. But it could be a plum.

time will tell what it actually is. but nice score

A thread graft will be a great idea to put branches where needed.

Ken

time8theuniverse wrote:Can I use the thread branch off the same tree to make the graft?

Yes, just need a flexible branch that will allow you to bend it enough to go where you need it.

Cheers

I'm voting with Neil, its a plum. And everyone should have at least one plum in their collection.

I really like it! definitely got potential.
Wish I knew where to get some free prunus.

Here is an update for this tree. I was thread grafting a new branch onto the right side of the tree but I broke it when I was shifting the tree (there was also some damage to a branch with a blow torch a while back). So I have done a re-work of the trunk and will attempt another tread graft soon.