Lightningstruckdriftwoodexposedrootsdeadwoodraft Acacia

[lennard]

Somewhere in Africa lightning struck the tree.The elephants ripped the shredded bark from this tree and when they could not reach, they pushed the tree over. The tree did not die. It grew new roots higher up the fallen trunk but floods eroded the soil and that is why the roots are exposed. To make things worst a bonsai grower dug it up in August 2009 and stuck it in pot.

..............and the termites hollowed out the trunk a little!

October 2009:

verklein 2.jpg

August 2010:

aug 2010.jpg

January 2011:

January 2011.jpg

Any comments and advice, especially on the roots will be appreciated.

Lennard

[kvan64]

I like the tree. It will be a rippa when the pads are more defined. I would prefer the folliage to start a bit higher up. Again, it's just my liking which might be different to yours. Thanks for posting.
DK

[GavinG]

Good trunk, good story, and looks unique to your area.

Might the red pot be a bit strong? Maybe a lighter colour, or a shallower pot?

What other indigenous species are you using?

Gavin

[Andrew Legg]

Must have been really small elephants!

[Psymo]

Dud3e, do you know how to use a space bar?

[parabola]

Love it! So much character

[Roger]

Hi lennard
Great little tree. I like the way you started with a story, rather than the horticulture.
I can see what kvan64 is getting at, but for me, 'pads' are but one of the tools in the bonsai kit. They don't' need to be used in every great tree. They might look superb, but can ruin a good story too.
Look forward to how it develops.

[kcpoole]

Nice imagination Lennard

nice tree too

Ken

[Mitchell]

Dud3e, do you know how to use a space bar?

That defeats the title, you certainly have encompassed it there Lenard!



Lenard, Story is awesome, i'd leave out the lightning though, they elephant cropping is great as is!!! It gives us a sense of place.


I'd like to see a lil' more deadwood at the top to emphasis the die back from initial elephant attack, then more ramification.
Keep plucking mate, this is turning out fantastic.

Love a bonsai with a good story behind it, in fact I find it hard to truly appreciate them without one.

Keep us posted please!

[lennard]

I like the tree. It will be a rippa when the pads are more defined. I would prefer the folliage to start a bit higher up. Again, it's just my liking which might be different to yours. Thanks for posting.
DK

Over time I will develop five pads and as the twiggy growth develop the foliage will be a bit higher.

Thanks for replying.

Lennard

[lennard]

Good trunk, good story, and looks unique to your area.

Might the red pot be a bit strong? Maybe a lighter colour, or a shallower pot?

What other indigenous species are you using?

Gavin

Thanks, Gavin. It will get a better pot later on.

The main groups I grow are all the Acacia species, Buddleja saligna, Olive europea var. africana, Celtis, a lot of different Ficus species, Baobab and more. The indigenous species used for bonsai is quite still untapped!

Lennard

[lennard]

Must have been really small elephants!

Miniphants?

Lennard

[lennard]

Dud3e, do you know how to use a space bar?

Certainly I do

You take one of those gravity glasses and then order the beer. Didn't you know?



Lennard

[lennard]

I'd like to see a lil' more deadwood at the top

Regrettably the deadwood on an Acacia will not last - will have to bring some more termites into the story!

Lennard

[lennard]

Thanks for all the responses - I do appreciate it.

Ausbonsai is a great forum

Lennard