Would yew chop it?

MrFancyPlants · May 30, 2013

I know this needs a lit more development, but I've grown this guy up from a volunteer seedling for the last 5or 6 years, so I am a bit attached. I have a couple questions as far as how to proceed. One, has anyone had any luck ground layering these. The roots need too much work and there is an ugly rodent induced scar towards the base. Two, there is a upward facing branch that I tried to picture that would be a natural new leader. I am very tempted to chop now, boing that it will slow down development. I think it would be worth it to start developing some taper. Another option would be to remove all the foliage above the new leader for a ways to designate it as sacrifice growth and to let some more light in.

Any advice is appreciated,
Thanks,
David

MrFancyPlants · Jun 3, 2013

I guess I am going to go ahead and remove the growth past my future leader to designate the top as sacrifice growth for now. I'll probably go ahead and attempt a ground layer during repotting next spring. I am thinking a wire tourniquet with some rooting hormone and burying it much deeper than it is now to try and make it a much smaller trunk. I know this isn't the most exciting material in the world, but it does have small enough leaves that I think it could make a convincing shohin someday. I would also think that although most would say plant it in the ground until it is interesting, if I get the roots sorted out before I grow it out, it will make it much better down the road. I am in no Rush.

Thanks,
David

october · Jun 3, 2013

Hello David,
I would not do any of the things you are planning. The tree is not ready for it. It is too young. You are going to stress it and it might not survive. Yews are tough, but this one is young and trying to make something of itself. I know you might not want to hear it or it sounds repetitious. However, give it 3-5 more years and then go back to it. This trees current age and size does not make it a good candidate for any kind of chopping or layering.

I would get somethign else. Something a little older with a thicker trunk.

Rob

GO-OK · Jun 5, 2013

I would agree with Rob, but would add that it could be wired and twisted similarly to shimpaku whips and then grown out for a few years......the world needs more showing yews with twisty fat little trunks.

As plentiful as taxus are in the US, I wonder why we don't see more little shohin like that.

GO-OK · Jun 5, 2013

Sorry shohin yews..Taishoen.org normally has some for sale. They seem to move quickly and they are always nice. It's a good site for anyone who wants to see loads of quality photos of some top shelf shohin material.

MrFancyPlants · Aug 14, 2013

Well, i brought this yew in to a wireing workshop that my local club was having with the thought of maybe going for some dramatic twisting as you guys recommended. But, Joeseph Gutierrez saw my originally intended leader and agreed with my general direction and suggested that we remove the sacrifice growth before it lead to more scarring than necessary. He said that I should thicken the trunk further by growing out the branches longer in order to help develop a more natural taper.

I do apologize for not heeding the advice of the more experienced members whose options I respect very much. Even if it slows down the development, I couldn't turn down the opertunity to have an experience bonsaist, and former surgeon, do all of the wiring for me. I am very pleased with the direction the styling has taken. I believe Joe enjoyed the opportunity to demonstrate his skills and frankly I suck at wiring. I am a proponent of clip and grow in part due to necessity; due to a neuromuscular disorder I often lack the finest of motor contol.

october · Aug 14, 2013

MrFancyPlants said:
Well, i brought this yew in to a wireing workshop that my local club was having with the thought of maybe going for some dramatic twisting as you guys recommended. But, Joeseph Gutierrez saw my originally intended leader and agreed with my general direction and suggested that we remove the sacrifice growth before it lead to more scarring than necessary. He said that I should thicken the trunk further by growing out the branches longer in order to help develop a more natural taper.

I do apologize for not heeding the advice of the more experienced members whose options I respect very much. Even if it slows down the development, I couldn't turn down the opertunity to have an experience bonsaist, and former surgeon, do all of the wiring for me. I am very pleased with the direction the styling has taken. I believe Joe enjoyed the opportunity to demonstrate his skills and frankly I suck at wiring. I am a proponent of clip and grow in part due to necessity; due to a neuromuscular disorder I often lack the finest of motor contol.

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Even though I did give advice to leave it alone. I do agree with what you did. An opportunity arose and you grabbed it. Whenever you have an opportunity to learn hands on from an experienced person, you should take it. If you stick with bonsai, you will be working with hundreds, if not thousands of trees in your life time. This one has provided a good source for learning. The tree came out pretty nice.

Rob

lordy · Aug 28, 2013

MrFancyPlants said:
Well, i brought this yew in to a wireing workshop that my local club was having with the thought of maybe going for some dramatic twisting as you guys recommended. But, Joeseph Gutierrez saw my originally intended leader and agreed with my general direction and suggested that we remove the sacrifice growth before it lead to more scarring than necessary. He said that I should thicken the trunk further by growing out the branches longer in order to help develop a more natural taper.

I do apologize for not heeding the advice of the more experienced members whose options I respect very much. Even if it slows down the development, I couldn't turn down the opertunity to have an experience bonsaist, and former surgeon, do all of the wiring for me. I am very pleased with the direction the styling has taken. I believe Joe enjoyed the opportunity to demonstrate his skills and frankly I suck at wiring. I am a proponent of clip and grow in part due to necessity; due to a neuromuscular disorder I often lack the finest of motor contol.

View attachment 39987 View attachment 39988

I agree that when you have an opportunity to have someone like Joe show you how he does things, especially on a tree early in it's development, grab it. Joe has been around a few evergreens and has the trees to show for it.

Would yew chop it?

MrFancyPlants

Omono

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