New Beech Project

Mattbonsai · 11-21-2010, 03:53 PM

Hey Guys.

I rescued this tree from the skip at work the other week, and after 3 of us manhandling it into my car and then dragging it round to the back of the house I now have a nice new project to play with!

Its a Fagus Sylvatica of some sort, I say some sort, because its definately a European Beech, but there was a light purple tinge to the foliage last year, which opens the door to it being a purple beech, but alternatively that could possibly be because of the poor conditions in which it was kept, before heading towards the skip.

There was a lot of deadwood on the tree, and you can see in the pictures the remains of the main trunk, but it appears to have sent out new growth and recovered quite well from the trauma.

I'm putting money on it being of Italian origin, as the rootball and pot weigh an outstanding amount! and Italian imported stock is usually planted in what resembles concrete chunks that weigh an absolute tonne. So it will be a pain to repot in the spring, I'm planning to clear out the roots this spring and get it into a slightly smaller pot that its possible to move around. And do minimal work on the branches, just taking out the dead and clearing any rot from the tree.

What do you guys think? Any ideas for where to go with it?

Cheers

-Matt-

M.B. · 11-22-2010, 03:28 AM

This looks like a fun project. I wouldn't do much of anything until you get this into a smaller pot, then sit and stare at it from all angles. Turning slowly, tilting it this way and that. I can't say, without seeing it in person, what I would to do to style it but I know you'll have fun doing it.
Mary B.

Mike423 · 11-22-2010, 10:14 AM

I agree, its hard to tell without seeing it in person. But from looking at it quickly it came to mind to possibly cut it back to the red lines and work from there.

Fagus (1).JPG

If the tree has been struggling or seemed stressed in its previous location, especially if it was pruned hard when collected, I would let it sit and recuperate/ get acclimated to its new environment for at least a year before doing any harsh pruning or styling. Maybe even put it back in the ground for a few years to help it get some vigor back. Some good potential, good luck.

artyanimal · 11-27-2010, 05:01 AM

In my estimation, the first step should be to (hopefully) expose some surface roots. A fat trunk sometimes gives you some equally fat nebari which of course, could then help with your overall determinations. In other words, I would try and start my 'construction' at foundation level.

In addition, pic (1) seems to show 2 matching and rotting branches on either side very low on the trunk probably in need of some eventual fairly serious carving. If it is a matching set as it appears, it may prove difficult to use such a symetrical pair effectively as the front unless perhaps you carve all the way through and hollow it out entirely. Hard to say definitively from the pics but, (2) may prove a better front view depending on the afore mentioned root structure. In any event, the existing trunk thickness does give you this hollowing out procedure as a valid option that would definately contribute to the appearance of great age.

Once these first things first have been addressed I think you will find the look you have already created will almost dictate any steps that follow for you like branch selection, structure and shaping.

Cheers,

Arty

Mattbonsai · 11-28-2010, 02:01 PM

Cheers guys, I'm definately going to repot it this year, although I willl only work on getting it into a deep horticultural crate to grow on for a year before I even think about doing any major work to it.

Arty, you're right about the rotting branches, theres some nice fungi growing out of the side of them isnt there :P, With the nature of beech wood, I probably will end up carving and hollowing it out, and seeing what we're left with.

I will post pictures as it goes.

Cheers

-Matt-

artyanimal · 11-29-2010, 05:25 AM

Yes Siree Bub! Absolutley keep us posted and...uh...pictured. Maybe we should start calling it: 'postured' hehe

Arty

11-28-2010, 02:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mattbonsai Tree Hugger In Training Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cheshire, GB Posts: 810	Cheers guys, I'm definately going to repot it this year, although I willl only work on getting it into a deep horticultural crate to grow on for a year before I even think about doing any major work to it. Arty, you're right about the rotting branches, theres some nice fungi growing out of the side of them isnt there :P, With the nature of beech wood, I probably will end up carving and hollowing it out, and seeing what we're left with. I will post pictures as it goes. Cheers -Matt- __________________ -Matt- http://www.cheshirebonsaisociety.org.uk/index.html R.I.P Our Great Friend - Prowler, 24th November 2008

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11-22-2010, 03:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
M.B. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Outside Sacramento, CA Posts: 116	This looks like a fun project. I wouldn't do much of anything until you get this into a smaller pot, then sit and stare at it from all angles. Turning slowly, tilting it this way and that. I can't say, without seeing it in person, what I would to do to style it but I know you'll have fun doing it. Mary B.

11-22-2010, 10:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mike423 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago, IL Zone 5 Posts: 114	I agree, its hard to tell without seeing it in person. But from looking at it quickly it came to mind to possibly cut it back to the red lines and work from there. Fagus (1).JPG If the tree has been struggling or seemed stressed in its previous location, especially if it was pruned hard when collected, I would let it sit and recuperate/ get acclimated to its new environment for at least a year before doing any harsh pruning or styling. Maybe even put it back in the ground for a few years to help it get some vigor back. Some good potential, good luck.

11-27-2010, 05:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
artyanimal Snipologist Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mid-coast Maine / Zone 5 and S. Florida / Zone 10 Posts: 89	In my estimation, the first step should be to (hopefully) expose some surface roots. A fat trunk sometimes gives you some equally fat nebari which of course, could then help with your overall determinations. In other words, I would try and start my 'construction' at foundation level. In addition, pic (1) seems to show 2 matching and rotting branches on either side very low on the trunk probably in need of some eventual fairly serious carving. If it is a matching set as it appears, it may prove difficult to use such a symetrical pair effectively as the front unless perhaps you carve all the way through and hollow it out entirely. Hard to say definitively from the pics but, (2) may prove a better front view depending on the afore mentioned root structure. In any event, the existing trunk thickness does give you this hollowing out procedure as a valid option that would definately contribute to the appearance of great age. Once these first things first have been addressed I think you will find the look you have already created will almost dictate any steps that follow for you like branch selection, structure and shaping. Cheers, Arty

11-29-2010, 05:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
artyanimal Snipologist Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mid-coast Maine / Zone 5 and S. Florida / Zone 10 Posts: 89	Yes Siree Bub! Absolutley keep us posted and...uh...pictured. Maybe we should start calling it: 'postured' hehe Arty

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