AusBonsai

Hey all, I dug this privet last october, it has come back fantastic. So much so the roots are pushing thru the foam box it is in. Was hoping someone may be able to offer some sugestions as to the next stage. I know i need to remove one of the 2 branches extending out to the left, just cant decide which one it should be, upper or lower.
Any thoughts would be most appreciated
Thanks
Matt

mate, that tree is a monster,

i love the overal look of the tree! i think you have picked a dynamic front, if you can build the tree from there you are laughing a can see a sweet tree in it for sure, if i can get my net to speed up i will do a virt for ya


jamie

Hey Jamie, Thanks for the encouraging remarks. Yeah she is a decent size, I tend to go for the bigger stuff, this is actually about midsize to what i like An advantage is access to almost 50acres of mainly privet, literally just over my back fence

hi id look at the option of removing the front small low branch the big middle low brnch and bringing the back branch forward may b semi cascade that branch and use the upright but reduce its height a bit nice tree tho

That's an awesome specimen of a privet! Nice form.
The front you have chosen looks like a good choice.

just for a basic idea matt, the virt pretty much includes everything that is there, some removal of the branching and that was not of need or made it hard to work with.
i think this has more of penjing feel to it hence that the foliage in different pads.

jamie

Welcome to the forum mate , you have a fine piece of bonsai material to work on . I lean toward the idea of a semi cascade, anyway here is my virt I hope it helps. ... CHEERS ROD....

Jamie wrote: i think this has more of penjing feel to it hence that the foliage in different pads.

jamie

Its funny you say that, i do tend to lean more to the ways of penjing. One of the appeals of this tree for me is the look of an open hand beckoning you into it. Thanks to you & rod for the virts, like the idea of some dead wood at the heart. In both designs its reduced to just 2 trunks, from the orig 5. Any particular reason? Is this just to make it easier? Have it on the bench studying the trunks. Will do some tidy up of new growth & remove the heavy back branch & see where it goes from there.

It was originally growing upright on the side of a bank, it was planted on this angle to keep the root system in contact with soil. It doesnt show up very clear in the photo but the smallest trunk is being fed by several aerial roots as is the lower half of the secondary trunk, so if they come off i can use them for more trees

Rod, thats a ripper virt

i took the tree back to two trunks as i think it was to busy otherwise, it created some negative space, i think Rod's virt has hit it better than mine though.

jamie

The reason I reduced the amount of trunks was to reduce clutter, give better trunk lines and to give some wood to carve. ( creating a interesting feature) I think both virts are very achievable and both would look good, I look foward to seeing the finished tree. CHEERS ROD......

I got stuck into it today, being privet i didnt take it easy. Removed the front 2 small trunks but have kept the back one as i felt with it gone there was too much negative space between the 2 main trunks. I will review this when its filled out a bit. As you can see have also got a fair bit tied down.
It looks very bare but being privet it will be back in no time. I am hoping it reshoots where i want. If not i will have to get nasty with it

look good mate, i bet you know how to tie a knot i still think that middle one need to go but all good pal it will either work or it wont


jamie

Jamie wrote:look good mate, i bet you know how to tie a knot i still think that middle one need to go but all good pal it will either work or it wont


jamie

Love the granny I think your right i just had a moment of hesitation.. its going to look so bare.. aarrgghhh !

Will let it get the go on again & decide later. I kept one of the front trunks removed & repotted to make a start on a little one to keep it company.

Rod nice virt thats exactly what i was thinking but didnt have time for a virt arnt u lucky would have been ugly as hell if i did

u hit the nail on the head

dayne wrote:didnt have time for a virt arnt u lucky would have been ugly as hell if i did

Hahahaha....

I'm the same as you Dayne, the clone tool on paint.net pisses me off, I've got no patience......... that's why I do bonsai.... ..???

Love your work Rod... Makes me want to go and dig some privet!