Volunteering at the Smith Gilbert Gardens

carp

Chumono
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If I was petty this is where I would say "wow you work on someone else's trees" or "no one likes a braggart" or "let's see your own work."

Tell Rodney I said what's up.
 

Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy
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IMG_1772.JPG IMG_1778.JPG IMG_1779.JPG IMG_1780.JPG IMG_1781.JPG IMG_1782.JPG IMG_1784.JPG I spent the rest of the day cutting back this huge trident forest. It hasn't been properly worked in a bit. I would have liked to have cut it back further, but it's a good start. We also cleaned off the old bark...love the contrast between he old brown and new cinnamon!!
 

JudyB

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That trident maple group is super cool. How lucky that you get to work on such a nice collection, and so good the trees have great care! Thank you for updating this thread. Are you concerned about dormancy issues with the temps so high so early?
 

Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy
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Yes. I talked to Rodney Clemons about that yesterday. This forest, along with 4 or 5 other plantings, is just too big and heavy to move for winterization. The garden has installed heating pads under this one and the others, and will wrap the pots with frost blankets as needed. They've only been used once, last weekend actually, when it fell into the teens. I assume that if the trees break dormant early, they'll be paying a higher electric bill next month;).
 

JudyB

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It's going to be scary warm here for at least the next 10 days after today. Not looking forward to the results, hope that these don't face issues.
If they do pop leaves and then get frosted, even with heating wraps on pots, won't it loose it's leaves?
 
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Dav4

Drop Branch Murphy
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Yeah, that would be bad. I suspect they'd cover the whole planting with the frost blankets if it was that far along, turn on the pads, and hope for the best.
 

JudyB

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Damn, that would be horrible. They should get one of those motorized lift carts so if it has to move it can. I really like this group, and could see it in a better pot... maybe I should not say better, that may be a great pot... just something without figures.
 

Dav4

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I think we're planning to repot this in March, but it's going back into the same pot. Pots this size- 4 + feet wide- are hard to find and super pricey, so it is what it is. I really don't mind the pot or the kanji(?). When I view it, the pot doesn't even really register with me because I'm so focused on the trees. I think those motorized lift cars ala what I've seen at bonsa Mirai are a bit pricey, too, and unlikely to ever make the budget. Fwiw, while it can fall into the single digits and even below 0 F here, it's rare and fleeting, so temporary measures like what I described should do the trick...baring some horrible "once in a hundred years" cold snap.
 

Wilson

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I only got to spend half a day at the garden today as my son kicked off his spring lacrosse season this afternoon (love lacrosse!!!). Still, we got a fair amount done before we broke for lunch. This huge trident got a much needed repot...rumor has it that some time ago, Kathy Shaner dubbed it "The Southern Waitress". That's Rodney Clemons standing next to the tree.
Awesome tree! I love to hear that you and your son are lacrosse people! I played all my childhood, it is still my favourite sport! I used to love headin down to Conn. and Maryland to play tournaments.
 

Dav4

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Awesome tree! I love to hear that you and your son are lacrosse people! I played all my childhood, it is still my favourite sport! I used to love headin down to Conn. and Maryland to play tournaments.
It seems that Lacrosse has always been popular in the mid Atlantic states, but it's picking up steam elsewhere. It's HUGE here in the Metro Atlanta area, at least at the youth and high school level. For good or bad, my son opted not to continue playing at the high school level... I wish he was still playing, but I understand and respect his decision to hang up the cleats.
 

GrimLore

Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
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I've decided to start this thread to document some of the great trees we work on, and will hopefully update it periodically.

This thread is inspirational and shows your commitment. I find it hard to understand how you possibly find the extra time and respect it.

Thank you!

Grimmy
 
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Great pics, thanks for sharing Dave. There's some shady looking characters in that bunch:)...
 
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