Cedrus brevifolia

MichaelS

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Actually C.libani subsp. brevifolia now I think.
This is by far the best Cedrus species for bonsai work. Needles are about 3/4 inch on very vigorous trees in the ground and in the pot they average at about 1/2 inch. Probably a lot less when really old. Branches (at least on this cultivar) naturally grow horizontally. It is much slower than other species but makes good growth each year.
This tree was a commercial graft hence too high. The nebari was also bad so I used a smaller tree to fill in an empty space. I think it is looking respectable now although it has a way to go yet. Rather than style it like a black pine - which is normally the way - I figured I would style it like a true mature Cedar ( go figure) with a flat top eventually, and most branches in the top half of the tree. The pot is Australian made.
Interested in any comments!
P1090985.JPG
 

Steve Kudela

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Actually C.libani subsp. brevifolia now I think.
This is by far the best Cedrus species for bonsai work. Needles are about 3/4 inch on very vigorous trees in the ground and in the pot they average at about 1/2 inch. Probably a lot less when really old. Branches (at least on this cultivar) naturally grow horizontally. It is much slower than other species but makes good growth each year.
This tree was a commercial graft hence too high. The nebari was also bad so I used a smaller tree to fill in an empty space. I think it is looking respectable now although it has a way to go yet. Rather than style it like a black pine - which is normally the way - I figured I would style it like a true mature Cedar ( go figure) with a flat top eventually, and most branches in the top half of the tree. The pot is Australian made.
Interested in any comments!
View attachment 107659
Michael, for what it's worth, I think it's a fantastic tree!! I'd love to have it here in south Georgia. What is the height?
 

Vance Wood

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Actually C.libani subsp. brevifolia now I think.
This is by far the best Cedrus species for bonsai work. Needles are about 3/4 inch on very vigorous trees in the ground and in the pot they average at about 1/2 inch. Probably a lot less when really old. Branches (at least on this cultivar) naturally grow horizontally. It is much slower than other species but makes good growth each year.
This tree was a commercial graft hence too high. The nebari was also bad so I used a smaller tree to fill in an empty space. I think it is looking respectable now although it has a way to go yet. Rather than style it like a black pine - which is normally the way - I figured I would style it like a true mature Cedar ( go figure) with a flat top eventually, and most branches in the top half of the tree. The pot is Australian made.
Interested in any comments!
View attachment 107659

Outstandingly beautiful tree and great job of styling. I would have never known it to be a graft if you had not mentioned it.
 

sorce

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Yeah that's dope!

BSD's deployed!

Sorce
 

Wilson

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How do you treat this tree, in terms of soil/fertilizer? It looks really nice in these latest photos!
 

MichaelS

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How do you treat this tree, in terms of soil/fertilizer? It looks really nice in these latest photos!
This year I repotted it into my clay pellets (like akadama) and quartz sand (about 50/50 - 3 to 5 mm with 7-10 mm aeration layer) Fertilizer is with cakes (blood and bone meal/soya meal 30/70)
 

MichaelS

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Just died and fell off?
But you're right. I think you will still be able to make something out of it.
Its beautiful!
It already had a split in it and I pushed it a bit to hard. These things never heal so once it's split at a branch junction, it stays split.
 

M. Frary

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It already had a split in it and I pushed it a bit to hard. These things never heal so once it's split at a branch junction, it stays split.
I've never had one. And have only seen 2 at nurseries in my life.
Its too bad but I'm sure you'll make something great.
Its killer now.
 

Vance Wood

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You don't even see these guys in the nurseries down here Mike. They are not real winter hardy.
 
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