Holly with a thick trunk

rtoms · 08-02-2008, 04:46 PM

I bought this Holly at chistmas time. I saw it at a christmas tree farm believe it or not. I wish I had posted some pictures of it then because there was alot of die back. I removed all the dead or dying branches, and well this is what i have left. I love the scar on the front of the tree and i'd like to be able to really have it be the focal point.

rtoms · 08-04-2008, 06:37 PM

44 views and no reply??????

bonsaikc · 08-05-2008, 10:02 AM

Tom,
Don't sweat it. Many times on many forums a post has to sit a while before someone sees something in it. Hang in there.

I like the potential of this tree, but it will have to be a shohin, I would think. This spring you should cut it back hard. New buds will pop and you can build a branch structure in proportion to the trunk with new buds. Just make sure you wait to do root work until the following year, so the tree will force those new buds this year.

Good luck, I think your idea of using the hollow as a focal point is the best direction to go with this tree.

JTGJr25 · 08-05-2008, 01:16 PM

I agree with Chris. I would also completely remove that long straight branch in between the two thick branches on the right in the first pic.

Tom

ficusfanatic · 08-05-2008, 07:03 PM

yeah the trunk and scar are nice.but it's hard to get past the pom pom looking branches to offer any advice. i agree with chris as usual. remove the thin branch. what do you see in the tree? are you keeping the large opposing low branches? remove them for a single trunk? think trunk line for now and branches later.

rtoms · 08-05-2008, 08:43 PM

I did a lil paint job. So remove the blacked out branch, and then make chops at the red lines?

Prowler · 08-06-2008, 02:52 PM

rtoms.
Dont know if this applies in your situation, i have a few of them around my house. A few years ago i gave two of them a major chop they were all in the ground, since then not so much as a bud has grown, so go easy.
One reason old houses in Scotland has Holly, it is suposed to keep witches away

Cheers.

bonsaikc · 08-07-2008, 12:13 PM

I haven't heard of that problem with holly, Prowler, but it's best to take it under advisement. Rtoms, I suggest cutting back and perhaps leaving just a little foliage on each branch. If you are feeding the tree heavily and it's in good soil, you should get very good back budding down the branches even to the trunk. After you get that you should be in a better position to decide on where to prune further.

rtoms · 08-09-2008, 12:01 AM

Thanks for the advice. I guess we'll see what happens next spring.

Russell

08-05-2008, 10:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
bonsaikc What're YOU lookin' at? Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ottawa, KS Posts: 155	Tom, Don't sweat it. Many times on many forums a post has to sit a while before someone sees something in it. Hang in there. I like the potential of this tree, but it will have to be a shohin, I would think. This spring you should cut it back hard. New buds will pop and you can build a branch structure in proportion to the trunk with new buds. Just make sure you wait to do root work until the following year, so the tree will force those new buds this year. Good luck, I think your idea of using the hollow as a focal point is the best direction to go with this tree. __________________ I am the 545th best crossword puzzle solver in the world! Sashi-no-eda Bonsai Blog

08-06-2008, 02:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Prowler Deceased: 11/24/2008 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 361	rtoms. Dont know if this applies in your situation, i have a few of them around my house. A few years ago i gave two of them a major chop they were all in the ground, since then not so much as a bud has grown, so go easy. One reason old houses in Scotland has Holly, it is suposed to keep witches away Cheers. __________________ Its hell out there, give them hell back.

08-07-2008, 12:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
bonsaikc What're YOU lookin' at? Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ottawa, KS Posts: 155	I haven't heard of that problem with holly, Prowler, but it's best to take it under advisement. Rtoms, I suggest cutting back and perhaps leaving just a little foliage on each branch. If you are feeding the tree heavily and it's in good soil, you should get very good back budding down the branches even to the trunk. After you get that you should be in a better position to decide on where to prune further. __________________ I am the 545th best crossword puzzle solver in the world! Sashi-no-eda Bonsai Blog

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08-04-2008, 06:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
rtoms Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Athens GA Posts: 30	44 views and no reply??????

08-05-2008, 01:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
JTGJr25 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Jersey Posts: 230	I agree with Chris. I would also completely remove that long straight branch in between the two thick branches on the right in the first pic. Tom

08-05-2008, 07:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
ficusfanatic Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Denver, Co Posts: 16	yeah the trunk and scar are nice.but it's hard to get past the pom pom looking branches to offer any advice. i agree with chris as usual. remove the thin branch. what do you see in the tree? are you keeping the large opposing low branches? remove them for a single trunk? think trunk line for now and branches later.

08-09-2008, 12:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
rtoms Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Athens GA Posts: 30	Thanks for the advice. I guess we'll see what happens next spring. Russell

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