Maros Bonsai Blog

Ulmus

This ulmus is relatively new in my collection. It is developing quite well and it is vigorous grower. Now, top of the main trunk must have been worked with carving again. I did some carving of the stomp some years ago, but it was not sufficient. There have been too many potential continuations of the main trunk, so one of them was cut off and from that sop further down the trunk stomp was carved. On small sub-trunk carved section was too wide at the top, it was reworked as well. Rest of the job was to cut down and shorten many branches at the top section of the tree. Bottom branches were left almost intact, they will left without major cuts this year to gain girth.

Carpinus betulus No.13 after editing

Tree was edited recently, mainly carving of the top section of the main trunk. Hole was carved more and further down the trunk. Than on small sub-trunk of the main tree one of branches originally kept there was removed and now I will follow developement only with two branches/sub-trunks. One of them is lacking taper and movement so I may chop it down or sort out somehow it will be problematic later. Second tree is OK for now, more carving of the scare was performed. All too long branches in top section of the tree were significantly shortened.

This is rather challenging tree I have to admit. It has fantastic nebari and connection to small tree is very nice and natural. But higher you look on big tree the bigger are challenges. Honestly I'm curious myself how it will develop.

Chainsaw in "Vincent's forest"

It was time to do decent edit of the hornbeam forest. Firstly, regular pruning of the branches, more on top less on the bottom.

Secondly, there have been some design challenges on the group. If you look on "before picture, or search any of the previous posts about this group, you'll notice there is problem on right side, at the bottom of the largest tree. When group is covered with foliage, almost entire trunk of main tree is hidden in it.

I was thinking a loooong time what to do with it. I came to conclusion last year. Now was time to do the edit.

Basically I do not want any low growing foliage on the right side of the main tree. Couple of too low branches on other smaller trees were cut off. Trunk of the closest small tree next to the min tree was pulled to the left. Small curved tree on the bottom of the min tree was cut out. And lastly leggy top pointing towards the front on the main tree was cut off as well.

Now you can see the result. Last pictures are rather rubbish since it was too dark. Better pictures will be taken and posted during the weekend.

Any feedback is appreciated.

before

After

Carpinus betulus No.14 "Old Sam" after editing

Few days ago was about right time to do some root work on this tree. Since collection from wild I did not disturb them due to obvious reasons. Now it was safe in my opinion to do some necessary cuts to shorten roots. Two larger roots were shortened by few cm and tree was potted into same bowl for year or two. Crown was cleaned as well.

Acer palmatum

Tree was edited and many unsuitable branches were cut out, mainly from top. Tree was already too tall, some branches quite leggy so hard pruning back was necessary to get better structure in the future. Now new leaves are on its way. Pictures with fresh foliage will follow soon.

Prunus spinosa

Carpinus betulus No.3 "Gemini"

Tree was edited recently, you can see on one picture before in raw state. Some branches were shortened, no wire this time. If you look back on previous posts about this tree you will know I'm trying to build up completely new tree from second straight stump. It is several years already since second chop now. Initially during collecting tree was chopped too high. Now it is visible some structure of the trunks and branches is already built but it will require few more years to achieve credible result. Tree will stay in current pot due to horticultural reason mostly, I need very strong growth on second tree. I usually leave very long sacrifice branches on all trunks on secondary tree to gain maximum girth gain during the growing season.