Another GIANT Hollow Trunk Redwood

[Brian Underwood]

Here is yet another huge redwood that Jim had me hollow out. It was an unfinished project from last year's summer apprenticeship, and we both agreed it was time to complete the carving. The tree stands over 3 feet tall, and I'll try to update the pictures when I have more. It has LOTS of work left. I still need to do some detail carving, let the wood dry, burn it, and of course many years of re-wiring. Let me know what yall think!

 

[Specialkayme]

Impressive looking.

 

[JudyB]

Looks like it took a long time to do, does the tree notice this much carving? It looks like it'll be nice after it weathers.

 

[misfit11]

It looks great, Brian! Definitely update it once you've burned it out etc.

BTW, you weren't there at the meeting on Tuesday. Jim brought the other Redwood that you'd carved for show-and-tell. He was giving you heaps of praise for your carving talents!

Cory

 

[Brian Underwood]

Thanks all!

Judy; so far every redwood I have carved, extreme or slight, has never noticed at all. Unless you leave absolutely no live vein to feed a portion of the tree, they seem to not even skip a beat. They appear to be very good at re-routing energy to whatever is living.

Cory; yeah, I double booked my night as I totally forgot about the meeting. I was even joking around with Jim on Friday about how "I don't need to go to the meeting since your doing the demo..." Oops... I heard about it from the guys yesterday during the workshop, it is an honor to get such praise from a teacher I look up to so much. How'd you like the redwood?

 

[Brian Underwood]

Update

I checked this tree out at the last workshop, and it is doing great. No lost branches, and everything is still growing strong!

 

[Umeboshi]

Images?
How is that deadwood aging?

 

[berobinson82]

I'm curious, were the branches left long on purpose?

 

[Brian Underwood]

No updated pictures, sorry. Maybe in the next month or so.

I often leave the branches a bit longer on these at first to thicken them and to make sure the bend sets nicely. It will be cut back pretty hard and developed from there. The foliage continues to get smaller as you go, and will keep backbudding forever.

 

[october]

I love this tree and the work... Pic 3 that shows the entire tree is just awesome.. Even in it's pre bonsai state, the tree is majestic.. It just commands respect.

Rob

 

[Brian Underwood]

Thanks Rob! Once I get all my new carving bits I'll be going through a few more of my redwoods. Should be fun.

 

[Brian Underwood]

Quick update; this tree is doing very well and has suffered no ill effects from the original styling. The branches that were kept long at the beginning are now cut much shorter and wired. I have yet to burn this one out, which will really help the tree look older and more mature.

 

[herzausstahl]

@Brian Underwood what kind of Redwood is this that you do this too? Have you ever tried it with Dawn Redwoods? Very cool what you are able to do with these!

 

[just.wing.it]

Wow, old thread, but that carving is nothing but awesome.

 

[Vance Wood]

This goes back three or four years. Does anyone know how the tree or the artist is doing?

 

[herzausstahl]

This goes back three or four years. Does anyone know how the tree or the artist is doing?

Says he was active last Sunday, so I tagged him in it. And he's still selling on eBay, I remember seeing one of these on there 3-4 years ago & was blown away. I did find another post of his saying these were coast redwoods which I believe are just out of my zone but I have a few Dawn Redwoods growing out right now (started from foot seedlings bought on eBay a few years back) & was curious if he felt they could handle this treatment.

 

[herzausstahl]

Wow, old thread, but that carving is nothing but awesome.

lol I'm going through a lot of old ones so don't be surprised if the member is still active if you see me ask questions on them. Trying to put bonsai as my main hobby this summer instead of 2-4, so researching now so I'm ready to gain practical experience when the weather is right.

 

[Shima]

It looks great, Brian! Definitely update it once you've burned it out etc.

BTW, you weren't there at the meeting on Tuesday. Jim brought the other Redwood that you'd carved for show-and-tell. He was giving you heaps of praise for your carving talents!

Cory

Jeeze I miss REBS!

 

[doc spring _work]

Thanks all!

Judy; so far every redwood I have carved, extreme or slight, has never noticed at all. Unless you leave absolutely no live vein to feed a portion of the tree, they seem to not even skip a beat. They appear to be very good at re-routing energy to whatever is living.

Cory; yeah, I double booked my night as I totally forgot about the meeting. I was even joking around with Jim on Friday about how "I don't need to go to the meeting since your doing the demo..." Oops... I heard about it from the guys yesterday during the workshop, it is an honor to get such praise from a teacher I look up to so much. How'd you like the redwood?

Any tips for someone looking to try carving?

I have a few chisels I'll probably need a Dremel but I very badly want to carve a hollow Russian olive

 

[Paradox]

Any tips for someone looking to try carving?

I have a few chisels I'll probably need a Dremel but I very badly want to carve a hollow Russian olive

Try to minimize the evidence of tool marks on your carving.
Watch some videos of people doing carving if you can.
Here are some good places to start:

Carving tips for beginners - Bonsai Tonight

Carving tips for beginners, from the perspective of a beginner. Step-by-step photos for some basic deadwood techniques.

bonsaitonight.com