AusBonsai

Hi everyone, I collected this privet from the side of the road a few years ago and have been growing the branches and canopy since then. I really like the nebari which formed from growing over a piece of rubble where I found It (I do see the big crossover roots at the back though and will fix them up when I repot it next).

I feel like its overall shape is coming together and I felt like sharing it to see what people thought and if you have any recommendations for alterations. I think there is a few flaws in terms of a couple bar branches but don't think they will be too obvious once it fills in.



This is currently the front but I wonder if the back might be a bit more interesting.



This is the back mainly because of the big ugly scars. I have considered trying to hollow them out but don't have the equipment or confidence at this stage.



Left side.



Right side.



Close up of the scars and nebari (with the crossover roots to be fixed).

Cheers.

Hi, I think the front you have chosen is right. Using the back as a front puts the small trunk to the front.
Style wise it is better just to the back, as you currently have it. Nice tree, nice nebari. Well done
Cheers
Kirky

I like the fron, but for me the small trunk is too long, and too straight.
I would shorten it a little, but also wire and bend it back to the left to in sympathy with the bend in the main trunk.

Nice nebari

Ken

Great find and good work to date. I agree with the other comments in regard to the front, that nabari is excellent and you must make the most of it. The secondary trunk does need some movement in sympathy with the main trunk. When you pot it, try not to get a pot that is too deep as that might take away from the great nabari. Please keep us up-dated as things progress?

Thank you to everyone for their input. Sounds like it is broadly on the right track but needs a bit of work on the smaller trunk. I'll see what I can do about putting some bends into the trunk and maybe shortening it an couple inches. I'll post some updates when some of the changes come through.

Cheers.

Hi there
In fact, it's not so much the straightness of the second trunk that's an issue, but the lack of taper. The main trunk is straight too, but it has taper so it looks mature. Either way the second trunk can be reduced down to the second or third branch and bring that up to continue the trunk line. It'd be a lot easier to put movement into the smaller trunk and it gives u taper.

Ragards

Hi There

For me I would remove it & focus on having two separate trees, it looks as though it has its own root base, rather than a twin trunk.

JC

Hey mate front is primo, great tree, you should be stoked with it. I feel the story of you getting it off the side of road and nurturing it into this beast is part of the beauty. Sometimes perfection is all about the (minor) flaws.
Love the tree

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I have to say, it is great to see a Privet with a good nebari, taper in the trunk and a first branch that does not resemble a cricket bat handle.

I'm sure you already know, but this tree has a lot of potential. Enjoy!

Cheers,
Mojo

Hi, for some reason the images aren't opening all the way with the sides cut.

Your tree looks good. I tend to think that the tree looks good individually (but I can't see the whole image).

Have you tried to manoeuvre it around different angles to increase taper even more?

Hi, thanks for your encouragement, I'm quietly excited about the tree's future.
Unfortunately my computer has died so I won't be able to do any resizing until I have that fixed up. I am going to focus on shortening the smaller truck a bit and getting a bit of movement and taper into it while continuing to develop the branches on the main trunk.
I will update once there's been a bit of progress.

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Hi all,
Here's an update on this one, starting to fill out. I have reduced the size of the second trunk as was suggested which I think has improved the tree. Looking at the pictures though I think maybe a more rounded top would give the tree a bit more of a mature, aged appearance.





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si90 wrote:Hi all,
Here's an update on this one, starting to fill out. I have reduced the size of the second trunk as was suggested which I think has improved the tree. Looking at the pictures though I think maybe a more rounded top would give the tree a bit more of a mature, aged appearance.





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Oh I should add that it has been repotted into a new ceramic pot. I think without a fair bit of root pruning this is as small a pot as it will currently fit in. I could go a bit shallower pot but for the time being I would be worried about it drying out while I am at work.

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That nebari and trunkline is really something. You have a great tree on your hands. Do you really need the second trunk? For me it distracts from the majestic structure of the main trunk.

Developing nicely and as you say a largert more rounded canopy will fit the bill nicely

IMHO the second trunk provides great interest and to the lower trunk, I like it and will even more so when the canopy of that fills in too

Ken