An update for the rotting zombie maple

[Brian Underwood]

Original Thread; http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthr...p-quot-Shi-(Death)-quot&highlight=death+maple

I have been working hard on branch thickening and ramification and will continue that work this year. It will most likely be defoliated later in June or so and re-wired. Here it is all leafed out! Enjoy!

 

[Brian Underwood]

After defoliation I will continue the carving and do some much needed wood preservation. The carving will mimic what has already been done, and extend down the rest of the deadwood areas (not necessarily exactly like the virt, but you get the idea).

 

[JudyB]

Good take on an old stump tree. Nice to see it in full leaf. I actually like it without the additional carving personally. Or I'd do a slightly larger rounded hole instead of an extension carving... for me.

 

[dkraft81]

Very cool tree. I love the natural look of it.

 

[A Random User]

I think that the carving, the hollow, could come down a little further.
I am assuming that the center portion is dead, and the live portions
Are on either side... if this is correct, I would caution you from doing
Alot more carving to the deadwood then, reason being, I had a tree
With a similar situation and the center rotted out very fast, leaving
Two clumps. I was sad....

Side note, is there any way of pulling the middle trunk on the left
Further to the left ??? You might need to do it through guy wires. It
Is a tad bit confusing, at least from the pics...
Looks good.

 

[Brian Underwood]

Thanks guys! If I pull that trunk any further left, I would have to re-pot and rotate the tree to adjust the front... We'll see, I'm in no hurry. I agree that if the carving is too extensive and the tree suffers from more rot, it could separate. I have seen this on a few other maples. I plan on preventing that by saturating the deadwood with wood-hardener after the remaining carving is completed. This will plasticize the wood and prevent rapid decay. This tree only cost me about an hour's worth of carving work, so I'm willing to experiment and get a little crazy with it (clearly). The pot is where all the money is!

 

[Brian Underwood]

Still growing strong...

 

[Vin]

That's a very cool tree!

 

[Cadillactaste]

Sweet material...your doing an amazing job with it. Thanks for sharing.

 

[sorce]

I like this one.

Thanks for sharing!

Sorce

 

[KennedyMarx]

It looks really cool. I hope that wood hardener keeps it from rotting quickly. Did you drill a drainage hole in the bottom of the hollow or does water just not pool in it?

 

[BrianBay9]

May I ask, why be concerned with further rotting? You have obviously incorporated the hollow as a feature. Live wood won't rot, will it? If the entire center rots out, who cares? It looks great - might look even better - and it's not like a full size tree where you're concerned with structural issues.

Brian

 

[Brian Underwood]

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Yes, wood hardener is necessary to prevent further rot. The bottom of the hollow is already rotted through, so there is no longer any pooling. If the wood is left as-is, the clump will eventually break apart and separate, no longer having any semblance of the tree that once was. And no, live wood does not rot, but about 80% of the base on this one is dead...