Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
The trunk is about the size I want. I just want to develop some taper as soon as I can.
How should I chop this ilex?
- Thread starter Cajunrider
- Start date
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Always many choices at this stage and all will be good choices.
Hard to make really good choices when I can't see the 3D trunk movement, buds at the back, etc but from what I can see here:
First branch is thick and upright. Either remove it altogether or chop the main trunk to make that branch the new main trunk. If you go that way also chop the new trunk above the first buds facing back to the original trunk. Trunks look best when each section is smaller and thinner than the lower ones.
If using existing trunk line (remove lowest thick branch): Chop the main trunk for future taper and movement. Chop so that that section is not longer than the lower section. Is that wire around the trunk? look for an appropriate bud around there. Preferably one that grows toward the front so the scar will be hidden. Shorten the 2 remaining branches considering they also need changes of direction and taper also with diminishing sections.
Attached virts may help show my options.
There may be other options from different views of the trunk.
Hard to make really good choices when I can't see the 3D trunk movement, buds at the back, etc but from what I can see here:
First branch is thick and upright. Either remove it altogether or chop the main trunk to make that branch the new main trunk. If you go that way also chop the new trunk above the first buds facing back to the original trunk. Trunks look best when each section is smaller and thinner than the lower ones.
If using existing trunk line (remove lowest thick branch): Chop the main trunk for future taper and movement. Chop so that that section is not longer than the lower section. Is that wire around the trunk? look for an appropriate bud around there. Preferably one that grows toward the front so the scar will be hidden. Shorten the 2 remaining branches considering they also need changes of direction and taper also with diminishing sections.
Attached virts may help show my options.
There may be other options from different views of the trunk.
Attachments
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
The ilex grew right next to a fence hence the nearly single plane growth. The back is not much different than the front and the side pictures show a straight plane. The buds I select to develop in the future will be chosen with the 3D improvement in mind. Your second picture is close to what I have in mind. Thank you for your advice.
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Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Thank you. This is very close to what I have in mind. The only change I might make is the rotation of the top cut slight to improve the 3D look for the tree because all branches now are practically on a same plane. I would like to break that.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
After checking to make sure the roits are developing OK, I went ahead with the chop. The lower right cut is not as tight as I wanted. I will correct later.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
It's almost a year since I chopped the trunk. Here it is after leafing out this spring. What next?
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
It survived the hurricanes. Found in the field near the house. Just removed the wire, trimmed and leave it alone this year.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Worked on it a little more.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Thinning to get ready for second growing season. Apex was left alone to thicken more.
HorseloverFat
Squarepants with Conkers
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Except for a huge one near the base all are healing. I may have to do a ground layer if I want to get rid of that.
HorseloverFat
Squarepants with Conkers
YamadoriFL
Mame
Nice ilex!
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Update
It appears that some time in the future I would have to decide whether to ground layer this tree for a better nebari.
It appears that some time in the future I would have to decide whether to ground layer this tree for a better nebari.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Question to all Bnutters: Should I do the ground layer or should I graft some young ilex to the side with the huge scar to develop roots on that side?
HorseloverFat
Squarepants with Conkers
I would layer...
Ilex does very well at producing radial roots AS SOON as the tree “makes the decision” that that part is “underground material”
Ilex does very well at producing radial roots AS SOON as the tree “makes the decision” that that part is “underground material”
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Very well then. I am going to attempt the ground layer. I wonder if I can do it during the second growing season here. Where I live the second growing season is September and November. 2 short months enough for decent roots or should I wait until spring? So far this tree seems bulletproof. It took the hurricanes and being in shallow pot without much watering other than rain for months. It is about as tough as Cajuns.
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