Progression - Taxus #4 Collected from a Hedge

This Taxus was collected with several others for free from a hedge.


Taxus #1 here, #2 here, #3 here,

I planted the tree in a free-draining mix and let it recover and grow for 3 years. I re-potted it in 2009 to remove the clay soil.

Tree as of October of 2010.





Cut off unnecessary branches.



Pulled large branch that would become the main trunk to the right with a board and some turnbuckles since Taxus wood is very strong. Wire would not have worked.

I let it grow vigorously through 2012 to help set the new main trunk angle. It had been re-potted in a cut-down nursery container so that it could be transferred to a bonsai pot more readily.



Potted into a bonsai pot in July of 2013.



A couple of virtual possibilities:

I think the virt with no apex jin is the one. This tree wants a foliage apex - the jin is distracting. You have a great trunk and taper going, and should allow the tree to showcase that.

I'm also going to venture into unknown territory here and talk pots. With that super thick nebari and wide trunk caliper, I'm not sure this is the right pot. I can't say what the solution is but my instinct says this deep rectangle is not the best match.

Another great yew. I like where you are going with this. As far as the top jin. To me, it is a jin that is providing a valuable function. If you just look at the trunk line. When the jin is taken away, the trunk looks like one bowing curve, still a very nice image though. However, notice the trunk line with the jin. The jin continues the image and provides a second area of movement in the overall trunk line. Now, with or without the jin, you have a nice image. However, I find the image a little more balanced with the illusion of a multiple movement trunk. Also, it creates the look of a more tapered trunk. Just my opinion.

Here are the 2 views of the trunk highlighted. Might be easier to make a decision when just the trunk is high lighted. Either way, You have a beautiful future bonsai. I hope this was helpful.

Rob

I too wanted to Thank You for these yew progressions! Great work and vision, and patience in achieving your vision.

I just collected 3 old yews this last May, now I have a timeline of how to proceed past the first 2 yrs of stabilization. Thanks BonsaiRic for sharing!