Collected sub alpine fir, triple trunk design.

River's Edge

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This tree was collected in 2018 and should only improve with age! Once the bark matures and the foliage fills out the effect should be amazing! Fir back bud readily and handle repotting very well. looking forward to development. This is the recovered stage two years after collection and one initial wiring with a bit of styling. Next up will be a more rigorous branch selection, thinning and grow out for foliage density and compaction. Lots of work to do with apex's and styling over the next five years.
IMG_1124.jpeg
 

Brad in GR

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What a cool tree. Nice balance. Wowser. When do you prefer to prune fir to encourage back budding in your climate?
 

Cosmos

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Do you have an example of what the bark would look like when it matures?
 

River's Edge

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What a cool tree. Nice balance. Wowser. When do you prefer to prune fir to encourage back budding in your climate?
Good Question, This tree and one other I collected after it are the guinea pigs in my collection for fir! So far I have had great bud back response with fall pruning so have not experimented with other times. For the above tree, the first initial wiring and minor pruning after collection occurred in late august 2019. Bud back was considerable both on branches and some trunk as well. This year I removed a lot of extra branches and cutback remaining in the late fall, this week I am wiring out and pruning for shape the smaller branches in a more complete rough styling. Will monitor for growth and bud back this growing season and next. Expect to focus on increasing density of foliage and compacting for pad development over the next few years.
 

River's Edge

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Do you have an example of what the bark would look like when it matures?
Not in my collection, could take a picture next time I am out collecting! Although we have a heavy snowpack this year, likely will be the end of June before I can access those elevations.
 

River's Edge

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Brilliant tree... What height is it?
It is classed as an Omono Bonsai , definitely a Two Man Bonsai, 47 inches tall overall not including pot! However it works well with one small guy and a hydraulic cart back and forth to bench and work stand.
Short version, Large!
 

Brad in GR

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Good Question, This tree and one other I collected after it are the guinea pigs in my collection for fir! So far I have had great bud back response with fall pruning so have not experimented with other times. For the above tree, the first initial wiring and minor pruning after collection occurred in late august 2019. Bud back was considerable both on branches and some trunk as well. This year I removed a lot of extra branches and cutback remaining in the late fall, this week I am wiring out and pruning for shape the smaller branches in a more complete rough styling. Will monitor for growth and bud back this growing season and next. Expect to focus on increasing density of foliage and compacting for pad development over the next few years.
Thanks for the guidance. I have an xmas tree I purchased from a nursery and have only repotted. Going to try late summer pruning for backbudding per your experience and see what I get. Just a fun long term project. It recovered well and showed roots through the bottom of the pot this year.
(Fraser Fir)



4EF0E6E9-F449-42ED-8A6B-3A586235A515.jpeg3DFDC6F4-8767-47B3-B3DD-CA48ED9F7E6B.jpeg
 

River's Edge

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I honestly think that's a future classic...look forward to seeing its progression
Thanks, it got off to a rocky start, found at roughly 4,500 feet in a rock pocket beside snow drift! Carried it down the mountain with help of my collecting partner only to find over 12 lbs of rocks in the root ball the next day when repotting! It is amazing when they grow in a rock pocket for easier extraction, but not so much fun on the way down the hill! Thank goodness for backpacks and walking sticks to help maintain balance!Packaged for hike back..jpegIMG_0830.jpegIMG_0822.jpegIMG_0832.jpeg
 

Wires_Guy_wires

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Thanks for the guidance. I have an xmas tree I purchased from a nursery and have only repotted. Going to try late summer pruning for backbudding per your experience and see what I get. Just a fun long term project. It recovered well and showed roots through the bottom of the pot this year.
(Fraser Fir)



View attachment 350517View attachment 350518
I got myself a 20 dollar fraser as well. It'll probably die in spring, our nurseries don't do half work on getting them out of the ground for christmas.
Do you have a thread on it?

@River's Edge thanks for sharing this stunning piece of work.
 

River's Edge

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Thanks for the guidance. I have an xmas tree I purchased from a nursery and have only repotted. Going to try late summer pruning for backbudding per your experience and see what I get. Just a fun long term project. It recovered well and showed roots through the bottom of the pot this year.
(Fraser Fir)



View attachment 350517View attachment 350518
If you decide to wire use a more relaxed flow to the application, looser on the branches and with small curls surrounding the needles. The bark damages easily with pressure so monitor the wire frequently to prevent wire marks. Also move the branch back and forth a bit to set position rather than just place directly in position. The branches are very springy and creating micro breaks will help set them in place faster than waiting for them to put on thicker wood! here is a picture of the foliage wiring I am describing for fir. Use the spiral wire cage to position the foliage tips for design, it is much more protective of the needles. Also, some artists recommend aluminum wire for fir due to the softer bark of new growth!



IMG_0275.jpeg
 

chicago1980

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This tree was collected in 2018 and should only improve with age! Once the bark matures and the foliage fills out the effect should be amazing! Fir back bud readily and handle repotting very well. looking forward to development. This is the recovered stage two years after collection and one initial wiring with a bit of styling. Next up will be a more rigorous branch selection, thinning and grow out for foliage density and compaction. Lots of work to do with apex's and styling over the next five years.
View attachment 350421
Well done.

I can appreciate this tree and 5 years of dedication.

I collected my first pine this year look forward to learning and growing with it.

I see you collect alaskan yellow cedar!

Can you share any photos?

Here is the pine I collected.
Screen Shot 2021-01-16 at 3.50.20 PM.png
 

River's Edge

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Well done.

I can appreciate this tree and 5 years of dedication.

I collected my first pine this year look forward to learning and growing with it.

I see you collect alaskan yellow cedar!

Can you share any photos?

Here is the pine I collected.
View attachment 350539
I have one unusual collected Yellow Cedar, it is the subject of another thread regarding foliage management of yellow cedar. Here is a picture of it recently after a wiring and pruning session January 2 , 2021. IMG_1346.jpeg
 

chicago1980

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I have one unusual collected Yellow Cedar, it is the subject of another thread regarding foliage management of yellow cedar. Here is a picture of it recently after a wiring and pruning session January 2 , 2021. View attachment 350543
Spectacular tree.

I also visited you website to learn more about your nursery.

Wonderful.

I am submitting an email today to discuss possibility of adding a yamadori to my collection.

Thank you for sharing today.
 

River's Edge

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Spectacular tree.

I also visited you website to learn more about your nursery.

Wonderful.

I am submitting an email today to discuss possibility of adding a yamadori to my collection.

Thank you for sharing today.
Thank you, I am excited over the new website, my initial attempts were pretty basic. I sought help from a talented individual to do this one for me and the result is very positive. Yamadori have a very special and unique place in the Bonsai world. I often joke that it is very rewarding to recognize that age and character have value, at least in Bonsai!
I have one other true multi trunk Bonsai in a Mountain Hemlock. It is a twin trunk that was collected in 2012, under development since 2014 when I acquired the tree. Father& Son    Mar 18.jpeg
 
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Brad in GR

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If you decide to wire use a more relaxed flow to the application, looser on the branches and with small curls surrounding the needles. The bark damages easily with pressure so monitor the wire frequently to prevent wire marks. Also move the branch back and forth a bit to set position rather than just place directly in position. The branches are very springy and creating micro breaks will help set them in place faster than waiting for them to put on thicker wood! here is a picture of the foliage wiring I am describing for fir. Use the spiral wire cage to position the foliage tips for design, it is much more protective of the needles. Also, some artists recommend aluminum wire for fir due to the softer bark of new growth!



View attachment 350523
Makes total sense. Thank you for sharing, will apply this year!!
 

Brad in GR

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I got myself a 20 dollar fraser as well. It'll probably die in spring, our nurseries don't do half work on getting them out of the ground for christmas.
Do you have a thread on it?

@River's Edge thanks for sharing this stunning piece of work.
Found the thread, and funny enough, the OP here (@River's Edge) was the approach that I am following for this tree. I’ll update in spring perhaps. More good advice, thanks again :)

Thread 'Fraser Fir - Xmas tree’s future.'
https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/fraser-fir-xmas-tree’s-future.41359/

E9CF417E-9E00-400C-B337-9D603F218CD4.png
 

River's Edge

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So Today I finished thinning branches, and wiring out for better sunlight and air movement to encourage bud back. The tree responded well enough to reduce down to the primary branches and begin condensing foliage. This will allow me to form proper branch and pad formation as time progresses! Tree looks very thin at this stage. I was also able to adjust apex height amongst the three trunks. The main trunk and tree is now overall 46 inches high. The middle trunk is 38 inches high and the third smallest trunk on the left is 32 inches high.
There are lots of areas that could use denser foliage, however the tree easily back buds and with proper care it will be a process of selecting those to keep and removing many extras each year for a while! I will begin fertilization about the middle of March. The wiring at this point is primarily to open the structure for back budding and set placement for primary branches. All branches that appeared to thick for their location on the trunk were removed or shortened to thinner side shoots. Overall the growth and foliage ate this stage is very uneven as each branch is pruned to encourage back budding on the basis of the individual branches condition. Still all in all I feel good about the progress and direction so far! Next step, late summer/early fallIMG_1369.jpeg
 
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