Dead wood Privet

Mattbonsai · 11-23-2008, 04:34 PM

This is my Ligustrum ovalifolium, I worked the deadwood and applied some Lime Sulphur prior to going down to Hampshire, and now that its dried and weathered a bit, its time to decide on the front.

Here's some pictures, I think my favourite is 4 I think, but would like to know what the rest of you think.

-Matt-

AlainK · 11-23-2008, 05:09 PM

Hello Matt,

Nice guy you've got here.

I don't know privet that much, does it backbud easily? To speak the truth, I find it a bit too tall, and the second third of the trunk looks a bit straight: a couple of new branches lower would maybe break this impression, and would make it possible to reduce the top part. But it's yours, not mine. I wish it were mine

Mattbonsai · 11-23-2008, 05:52 PM

Hi Alain, cheers for the reply, this kind of Privet backbuds like theres no tomorrow, the rate of backbudding is the main reason why the trunks become so gnarly, with new buds and shoots coming out every which way

.

I see what you mean with the straight trunk, maybe, on the second photo, having branches coming down to the right, and work on the triangle 'rule' with the canopy.

-Matt-

Ashley Barns · 11-23-2008, 09:09 PM

Hi Matt good stock you have there. My only comment at this stage would be that the deadwood is a tad heavy. Perhaps a bit of refinement on the thinner part i.e. reducing the height to that of a stub (if it is to be seen). More carving on the really thick part to lighten it a bit.

You have the start of what will be a nice tree when you also work that foliage. Is the wood on this tree too brittle to wire the branches downward?

Ash

pondering sage · 11-26-2008, 12:35 PM

Matt,
i like what you have there. i myself like big gnarly deadwood features, but agree with reducing it a bit. i like image 5 where you can see the trunk wrapping around and then separating from the deadwood. if it were mine i would reduce it to just above that point before the straight section begins. but then again most of my trees are hacked up stumpy things not much resembling a bonsai.
-sage-

Tangerine · 11-28-2008, 02:33 AM

From a newbie's two cents' worth - I reckon pictures 2 and 4 look like great orientations.

batman1013 · 08-01-2009, 01:33 AM

This is not...directly related to Bonzais, but, uh, does the phrase "Obsidian Trails" mean anything to you? I don't really want anything from you, I'm just curious.

JTGJr25 · 08-01-2009, 08:15 PM

Matt this tree could be a nice literati but at this point the deadwood is way too thick and awkward. Th live vein has an elegant flow to it and therefore the deadwood should reflect this. That big stub should be reduced a lot. You could leave some of it and carve some movement into it or just remove it entirely. Then as you probably know the foliage should be brought down and made very sparse. I would go with the first pic as the front.

Tom

Mattbonsai · 01-05-2010, 09:32 AM

Hi Guys,

I've started my re-potting early, as with being at work most of the time, I wont have the time to re-pot all the trees I need to before they start breaking bud unless I start now.

So Here's my Privet now, in her new pot, with lots of snow underneath her.

What do you guys think now?

Cheers

-Matt-

M.B. · 01-05-2010, 12:02 PM

I think I can't see it very good. Maybe it's the other plant in the background but I can't really see the branching and stuff. Maybe it's my old eyes getting worse.
Mary B.

11-23-2008, 05:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
AlainK Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Orléans, France Posts: 187	Hello Matt, Nice guy you've got here. I don't know privet that much, does it backbud easily? To speak the truth, I find it a bit too tall, and the second third of the trunk looks a bit straight: a couple of new branches lower would maybe break this impression, and would make it possible to reduce the top part. But it's yours, not mine. I wish it were mine __________________ Alain K. http://www.rdb45.fr http://ak2.apinc.org/bdB Last edited by AlainK; 11-23-2008 at 05:12 PM..

11-23-2008, 05:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mattbonsai Tree Hugger In Training Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cheshire, GB Posts: 801	Hi Alain, cheers for the reply, this kind of Privet backbuds like theres no tomorrow, the rate of backbudding is the main reason why the trunks become so gnarly, with new buds and shoots coming out every which way . I see what you mean with the straight trunk, maybe, on the second photo, having branches coming down to the right, and work on the triangle 'rule' with the canopy. -Matt- __________________ -Matt- http://www.cheshirebonsaisociety.org.uk/index.html R.I.P Our Great Friend - Prowler, 24th November 2008

11-23-2008, 09:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ashley Barns Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Victoria. Australia Posts: 61	Hi Matt good stock you have there. My only comment at this stage would be that the deadwood is a tad heavy. Perhaps a bit of refinement on the thinner part i.e. reducing the height to that of a stub (if it is to be seen). More carving on the really thick part to lighten it a bit. You have the start of what will be a nice tree when you also work that foliage. Is the wood on this tree too brittle to wire the branches downward? Ash Last edited by Ashley Barns; 11-23-2008 at 09:13 PM..

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11-26-2008, 12:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
pondering sage Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: portland oregon Zone 5 Posts: 18	Matt, i like what you have there. i myself like big gnarly deadwood features, but agree with reducing it a bit. i like image 5 where you can see the trunk wrapping around and then separating from the deadwood. if it were mine i would reduce it to just above that point before the straight section begins. but then again most of my trees are hacked up stumpy things not much resembling a bonsai. -sage-

11-28-2008, 02:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tangerine Citrus Reticulata (Inane) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canberra/A.C.T.-Australia Posts: 13	From a newbie's two cents' worth - I reckon pictures 2 and 4 look like great orientations.

08-01-2009, 01:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
batman1013 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 1	This is not...directly related to Bonzais, but, uh, does the phrase "Obsidian Trails" mean anything to you? I don't really want anything from you, I'm just curious.

08-01-2009, 08:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
JTGJr25 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Jersey Posts: 230	Matt this tree could be a nice literati but at this point the deadwood is way too thick and awkward. Th live vein has an elegant flow to it and therefore the deadwood should reflect this. That big stub should be reduced a lot. You could leave some of it and carve some movement into it or just remove it entirely. Then as you probably know the foliage should be brought down and made very sparse. I would go with the first pic as the front. Tom

01-05-2010, 12:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
M.B. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Outside Sacramento, CA Posts: 111	I think I can't see it very good. Maybe it's the other plant in the background but I can't really see the branching and stuff. Maybe it's my old eyes getting worse. Mary B.

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