MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
This is an Ezo spruce (Picea Jezoensis) I acquired from Brian Van Fleet last June. It originally came from Brent at Evergreen Gardenworks. I had a very similar one that I killed from a hard styling job last year. Brian knew how much I like these spruces and was aware of the demise of my tree. Knowing this, couple with the fact that he thought that his spruce would be better off long term in a colder climate, he asked if I wanted to buy it. It arrived at my house middle of June with a shattered pot despite it being well packed. I had no choice but to plant it in a plastic pan since it was the only thing I had available of the right size.
The tree arrived in perfect health and it continued to do very well in my garden. I placed it under my arbor in semi shade with the rest of my maples during the summer. Just recently it was moved to a much sunnier spot since now the sun is not so intense.
Below are two pictures of when the tree first arrived at my garden and right after it was replanted in the plastic pan.
A while back all wires were taken off with the exception of the apex. Gradually branches have gotten out of their positions. Spruce are notorious for their "bad memory". Next year it will be rewired entirely once again. I have had a chance to study this tree more carefully lately, and I am getting interested in exploring a styling option using what was originally meant to be the back. It does have a large chop from this angle but perhaps it can be carved and made into a feature. Below is how the tree looks now with the original "back" facing us.
One of the hallmarks of this tree is its great flaring base only partially visible in the photo.
The tree is full of buds everywhere evidence of its health and expert care Brian gave this tree.
As said previously I am considering using the back as the new front. Below are a couple of sketches done from the front and back of the tree. The second sketch is the one done from the present back which makes use of the slight movement of the trunk. The first sketch is from the tree's current front which presents a more formal style. I am also considering a rectangular container once it gets repotted in 2017.
In any case, I will wait until next year to style this really nice spruce with its stocky frame and beautiful flaring base.
The tree arrived in perfect health and it continued to do very well in my garden. I placed it under my arbor in semi shade with the rest of my maples during the summer. Just recently it was moved to a much sunnier spot since now the sun is not so intense.
Below are two pictures of when the tree first arrived at my garden and right after it was replanted in the plastic pan.
A while back all wires were taken off with the exception of the apex. Gradually branches have gotten out of their positions. Spruce are notorious for their "bad memory". Next year it will be rewired entirely once again. I have had a chance to study this tree more carefully lately, and I am getting interested in exploring a styling option using what was originally meant to be the back. It does have a large chop from this angle but perhaps it can be carved and made into a feature. Below is how the tree looks now with the original "back" facing us.
One of the hallmarks of this tree is its great flaring base only partially visible in the photo.
The tree is full of buds everywhere evidence of its health and expert care Brian gave this tree.
As said previously I am considering using the back as the new front. Below are a couple of sketches done from the front and back of the tree. The second sketch is the one done from the present back which makes use of the slight movement of the trunk. The first sketch is from the tree's current front which presents a more formal style. I am also considering a rectangular container once it gets repotted in 2017.
In any case, I will wait until next year to style this really nice spruce with its stocky frame and beautiful flaring base.