AusBonsai

I collected this treestump from a park that had been ripped up for development viewtopic.php?f=96&t=4463&p=50428&hilit=glenwood#p50428 earlier in the year
Been potted up and recovering ever since.
The stump is about 6" across the base and about 12 inches high

The new growth was getting up about 2 ft above and the new branches were going straight up and needed to be bent to give some movement ad interest and to start to shape them

The plan I think will be to carve out the Dead section to be quite hollow to give the impression of an old tree been hollowed out by fire. ( Might have to get a lesson from Pup or Mitchell).

When working today the Aroma of Tea tree oil was quite strong Cleared out the sinuses real good.

Comments welcome and if any one can give a positive ID will be good too. the leaves are quite tiny and a pale green in colour.

Ken

After adding wire I took some more.
Suggestions and comment gladly accepted

Ken

, Ken just a thought next time you collect or cut something down , try a slanting cut it will make it easier to style later.
You can tilt to put movement in an otherwise boring trunk. My suggestion for your tree now, is what you are suggesting, with a broom style canopy.

With your description of the tea tree oil smell of the foliage, I would hazard a guess at M, alternifolia.
The Foliage is not always alternate, but the aroma is very distinct, it is commonly mistaken for M, linarifolia, and has the same common name, Snow in Summer.

Hope this has been of help.

Cheers Pup

"The plan I think will be to carve out the Dead section to be quite hollow to give the impression of an old tree been hollowed out by fire. ( Might have to get a lesson from Pup or Mitchell)."

I'd take it from Pup mate! He knows what he is doing, I don't.

Great stuff Ken, not much to add now, but I know with you unique flair we are surely in for a treat, can't wait.


That's almost identical to my larger mel. Perhaps I should chop mine down more., might wait for more back budding though before I do.

At that height it shall make a very solid/grounded tree mate.

Thnaks boys

Hey Pup
I did not cut down, it was in a patch of bush clear felled by Council and ripped out with a dozer
I only found it a day or 2 after and rescued it, This is the result


I am hoping for a shoot or 2 lower down and there are a few already so maybe lucky

Thanks For the ID too

Ken

Another paperbark Strike another blow for Aussie trees. look forward to its progress. With those choice of leaders you have lots to play with.

Pup wrote: With your description of the tea tree oil smell of the foliage, I would hazard a guess at M, alternifolia.

This would be the most likely ID, given it was a very commonly used tree at the time the park was landscaped.....

I really like the idea of a big solid broom... It is how I have often seen melaleuca grown naturally when they have the room & nothing to alter there course of growth.

Keep us updated as she progresses

Matt

Hey Matt, That is a nice idea:-)
There are Several Shoots off the top at the same height so will readily lend itself to Broom Style

Is it Craig who has a carved out Elm Broom show here a while ago? Hae to go a searching to see if I can find it again.
I like that tree, and I could do something similar with this one

Ken

kcpoole wrote:Hey Matt, That is a nice idea:-)
There are Several Shoots off the top at the same height so will readily lend itself to Broom Style

Is it Craig who has a carved out Elm Broom show here a while ago? Hae to go a searching to see if I can find it again.
I like that tree, and I could do something similar with this one

Ken

Yes it is Craig with the hollowed out broom shaped elm. Yes it would suit this tree.

Pup

Hi KC, thanks for thinking of my tree as inspiration ,i'm honoured.- viewtopic.php?f=129&t=5600 -. i too like the idea of a "broom" style for this tree, However ,i'm concerned that the branches start too far up the trunk. If it were mine i would take the time to consider if the trunk is too long.It's said that 3 times the diameter of the trunk is a good point/height for the branches to start on a "broom", taking into account how much more of the trunk will be exposed/when exposing the roots. Think about the final appearance of the canopy and even the width of the tree, compared to the length of the main trunk . It's a little hard to see in your pics but i thought i'd mention it because it's something that can make or break this style and see what you think..I'm sure you'll do a great job on this tree KC, good luck mate P.s, looking again, i'm sure you could reduce the height by 1/3rd easily and with that beautiful strong/straight trunk line, i think a more traditional "broom" style can be achieved, especially if you spend time developing some nice surface roots,(which means i wouldn't carve the trunk at all..,,I'd love to have this tree, it's gold --Craig

KC, hope you don't mind , i did this virt- the branching is very,very rough but this is pretty much what i'm thinking. Fairly radical V cut down lower on the trunk. If the cut is kept facing to the rear you wont see it and you'll be able to work on healing it without seeing it from the front , I think it would end up being a really powerful little tree, alot of work but would be worth the effort. I sort of used the lowest wired branch to the left as a new leader and on the right i'd like a new shoot a bit higher than the little shoot half way up,maybe that shoot could be utilized, Cheers just my - Craig

Hey thanks for the info and virts boys

Re the height, I was looking this morning on the way to work at quite a few Mels and such that were ( Broom Shaped), and on them the branching starts fairly low. I was already thingking to lower it maybe.

On mine, there are quite a few shoots down lower that may be used and I suspect if I do chop it that it will shoot lower anyway.
Anyone suggest the best time to chop? now or later in the summer
Waht are the chances of striking the cutting?

Ken

kcpoole wrote:Hey thanks for the info and virts boys

Re the height, I was looking this morning on the way to work at quite a few Mels and such that were ( Broom Shaped), and on them the branching starts fairly low. I was already thingking to lower it maybe.

On mine, there are quite a few shoots down lower that may be used and I suspect if I do chop it that it will shoot lower anyway.
Anyone suggest the best time to chop? now or later in the summer
Waht are the chances of striking the cutting?

Ken

Ken the tree is growing so I would do it now. As for cuttings well if you are going to cut them off why not try and, using your tried and true method and some others by way of experimentation. Then you can let us know what does and does not work.

I have struck a M, quinquenervia in water and gravel it is going gang busters. My biggest problem will be what to do with it when I have to put it in a pot.
It will have to sit in water till it recovers for sure.

Good luck with yours. I do find that most Melaleucas, do shoot well when under threat.

Cheers Pup