Post your favorite Bonsai

[TN_Jim]

You can test this on the expendable part, tree seen above -
take a knife and choose a spot where you would like a bud and eventually
a branch.
Press blade into cambium and barely touch the inner wood [ diagram calls
it - anual rings ]

A bud is supposed to form near the cut.
Good Day
Anthony




View attachment 197583

Anthony, I’m guessing that this is kind of feel/estimated-depth when conducting such a cut?

Or, are you removing something like a very tightly acute sliver to get a visual -I’m thinking not, rather you’re just feeling the blade till it hits the annual rings/wood/secondary xylem?

Thanks much for this very valuable info. I’m going to be looking for a sacrificial branch to try this approach on.

 

[River's Edge]

Mountain Hemlock. Twin Trunk or Father&Son as i refer to it. I purchased it shortly after my son died in 2013 and began developing it in 2014. Picture as purchased and where it is at today. I have had assistance with the design from several of my teachers. Michael Hagedorn, Boon, Matt Reel and Bobby Curtright.

 

[Djtommy]

Mountain Hemlock. Twin Trunk or Father&Son as i refer to it. I purchased it shortly after my son died in 2013 and began developing it in 2014. Picture as purchased and where it is at today. I have had assistance with the design from several of my teachers. Michael Hagedorn, Boon, Matt Reel and Bobby Curtright.

That’s a very nice tree

My favorite would be this Ezo, because I like spruces and this was the first one I got.about 3 years ago

 

[Cadillactaste]

Mountain Hemlock. Twin Trunk or Father&Son as i refer to it. I purchased it shortly after my son died in 2013 and began developing it in 2014. Picture as purchased and where it is at today. I have had assistance with the design from several of my teachers. Michael Hagedorn, Boon, Matt Reel and Bobby Curtright.

Frank...I admired that tree from the photo in the tree thread. But now...hearing it's story, it's even more profoundly touched me.

 

[VAFisher]

Here's mine. A Water Elm purchased from @Zach Smith in either 2015 or 2016. I can't exactly remember. The structure was mostly set by the time I got it from Zach but the lower 2 branches weren't there. I got lucky and had buds pop exactly where I needed them and have been growing those branches out since.

 

[Zach Smith]

Here's mine. A Water Elm purchased from @Zach Smith in either 2015 or 2016. I can't exactly remember. The structure was mostly set by the time I got it from Zach but the lower 2 branches weren't there. I got lucky and had buds pop exactly where I needed them and have been growing those branches out since.

Nice work, Dan. It's always gratifying to see great results from trees that started out on your own bench.

 

[VAFisher]

Nice work, Dan. It's always gratifying to see great results from trees that started out on your own bench.

Thanks Zach. Water Elm has been an awesome species to work with so far. It was new to me since it doesn't grow here, but I've found it to be trouble free as far as pests, fungus etc., and it's really vigorous, so it develops fast. I've got a few projects kicking around that were started as cuttings from this tree and they are coming along pretty well too. I can't really think of any drawbacks.

 

[Jcmmaple]

So my grandpa is cutting a dogwood down this weekend for whatever reason, it has sprouting from the base but the stump is all I want. The problem I am facing will it survive the dig, the trunk is massive and some is hollow. Will it survive the summer heat, I know it’s not a ideal time but I don’t want waste it either or it will get burned or grind down.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

So my grandpa is cutting a dogwood down this weekend for whatever reason, it has sprouting from the base but the stump is all I want. The problem I am facing will it survive the dig, the trunk is massive and some is hollow. Will it survive the summer heat, I know it’s not a ideal time but I don’t want waste it either or it will get burned or grind down.

You won't know if you don't try. I'd go for it. Dogwood are not especially common as bonsai, but a few really nice ones have been shown over the years.

Question: is the dogwood being cut down due to the fungal infection that has been spreading? If yes, might be best to burn it. If no, I repeat my encouragement to go for it.

 

[Jcmmaple]

It’s just for my personal enjoyment, I don’t expect anything great from it just to learn. It seems to be a healthy tree, it has some broken branches on the top and so being picky he wants to cut it down. Thanks for the advice.

 

[River's Edge]

Frank...I admired that tree from the photo in the tree thread. But now...hearing it's story, it's even more profoundly touched me.

The trees that i inherited from Ross are special regardless of show quality.
Just so you know he was taller at 6 feet , dad stretches to reach 5 ft 8". So in the Father & Son combo he is the the more important one. He started to study with Boon in 2009 and when i asked him to teach me he said you should learn it right from the start, go to Boon. Too many people need to re-learn from teaching themselves and listening to other self taught people. So I did. The sad part was my son was unable to help me with Bonsai for long , the good part was that i inherited his trees and graduated from Boon's program to ensure i could do justice to the trees that my son started. And went on to continue learning from others Too little time , too much to learn. Now i am hooked with over 500 trees in a nursery dedicated to starting them right from scratch and collecting native species like the Hemlock, Shore Pine and Alpine Fir for Yamadori. The teachers who helped me the most also worked with my son which is a special connection. Here is another favourite that my son Ross learned how to do difficult bends on at Boon's. It was collected in 2005 and now resides in my garden. It is a Sierra juniper that I am grafting Kishu Juniper on for a change of clothes.

 

[Carol 83]

The trees that i inherited from Ross are special regardless of show quality.
Just so you know he was taller at 6 feet , dad stretches to reach 5 ft 8". So in the Father & Son combo he is the the more important one. He started to study with Boon in 2009 and when i asked him to teach me he said you should learn it right from the start, go to Boon. Too many people need to re-learn from teaching themselves and listening to other self taught people. So I did. The sad part was my son was unable to help me with Bonsai for long , the good part was that i inherited his trees and graduated from Boon's program to ensure i could do justice to the trees that my son started. And went on to continue learning from others Too little time , too much to learn. Now i am hooked with over 500 trees in a nursery dedicated to starting them right from scratch and collecting native species like the Hemlock, Shore Pine and Alpine Fir for Yamadori. The teachers who helped me the most also worked with my son which is a special connection. Here is another favourite that my son Ross learned how to do difficult bends on at Boon's. It was collected in 2005 and now resides in my garden. It is a Sierra juniper that I am grafting Kishu Juniper on for a change of clothes.

So nice it holds a connection to your son.

 

[Cadillactaste]

The trees that i inherited from Ross are special regardless of show quality.
Just so you know he was taller at 6 feet , dad stretches to reach 5 ft 8". So in the Father & Son combo he is the the more important one. He started to study with Boon in 2009 and when i asked him to teach me he said you should learn it right from the start, go to Boon. Too many people need to re-learn from teaching themselves and listening to other self taught people. So I did. The sad part was my son was unable to help me with Bonsai for long , the good part was that i inherited his trees and graduated from Boon's program to ensure i could do justice to the trees that my son started. And went on to continue learning from others Too little time , too much to learn. Now i am hooked with over 500 trees in a nursery dedicated to starting them right from scratch and collecting native species like the Hemlock, Shore Pine and Alpine Fir for Yamadori. The teachers who helped me the most also worked with my son which is a special connection. Here is another favourite that my son Ross learned how to do difficult bends on at Boon's. It was collected in 2005 and now resides in my garden. It is a Sierra juniper that I am grafting Kishu Juniper on for a change of clothes.

I had no ideas your son Ross also had a passion for bonsai. That he not only loved it...but seeked further education to take himself further. That he was taller...puts into perspective that father and son tree even more. Thank you for sharing a bit of your son with us. That he was a student of Boon as well...I have such respect for those who do find time to further their direction by such intensive training. I respect Boon...I have since Adair shared tidbits of what he's learned. But also...from following him on FB.

Inherited trees...are priceless. So glad you can continue on your sons passion in the trees he once loved. Working among those who also knew your son...keeps that connection he had with them intertwined like a rare piece of spun gold . I would imagine having the same hobby as Ross had...brought the two of you closer in that aspect as well. Even if the time was brief...it was shared. Footsteps on a path side by side for awhile. ? having that tree your son worked molding with bends and what not...now taking it further...as he surely would have wished to have seen done. Can imagine the connection for that special tree. I imagine It holds a special spot in your garden and heart. Working it...honoring what he would have most likely would have seen done. Seems...right. Thank you for sharing that tree with me.

 

[Zach Smith]

Thanks Zach. Water Elm has been an awesome species to work with so far. It was new to me since it doesn't grow here, but I've found it to be trouble free as far as pests, fungus etc., and it's really vigorous, so it develops fast. I've got a few projects kicking around that were started as cuttings from this tree and they are coming along pretty well too. I can't really think of any drawbacks.

True enough. The only problem I've encountered with them is they can be cold sensitive, but with proper winter protection they do fine. And as your example shows, in about three years you've got a showable specimen.

 

[Jcmmaple]

Thank you for sharing that story Frank, I know it must be a very special time every moment you are with the tree. As a father I can understand the emotions that you must go through when you are with the tree and the memories you have, that was a touching story and I hope great things continue for you and the experience learning more. I hope that one day my son will continue my passion when I’m gone, you sir are my hero for doing the things that will continue his memory.

 

[coachspinks]

Here's mine. A Water Elm purchased from @Zach Smith in either 2015 or 2016. I can't exactly remember. The structure was mostly set by the time I got it from Zach but the lower 2 branches weren't there. I got lucky and had buds pop exactly where I needed them and have been growing those branches out since.

This is a beautiful tree. I have a Cedar Elm from Zach that I am excited about. I hope it turns out similar to your tree.