Choosing a new front

entrari

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Hi. Reporting this terminal is fontalia soon and I was wondering if I should change the front. First image is the current front and third image has the widest base. Fifth image has an interesting hollow though. Would be great to get opinions.
Cheers.
 

entrari

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Oh sorry. The photos didn’t load. 1 is the current front. 2 has the widest base. 3 has an interesting hollow.
 

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penumbra

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One looks great. Two is OK. Three is my choice. It looks absolutely ancient with that hollow. I love hollows, some do not.
You have some obvious rot and I wonder if it is still a process going on. In any event it should be cleaned up IMO.
 

penumbra

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I would remove it mechanically by carving and using a wood preserver on what is left as part of the feature. If this is new to you I would get help from someone experienced. That one large dead root is of concern to me. There are probably other issues as well.
 

Bonsai Nut

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I vote for the current front, #1, but I would replant and lean the tree forward. I would also clean up / reduce the deadwood on the front root. Once you lean the tree forward, that root will go down into the ground, leaving you with a beautiful buttressing base.
 

penumbra

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I vote for the current front, #1, but I would replant and lean the tree forward. I would also clean up / reduce the deadwood on the front root. Once you lean the tree forward, that root will go down into the ground, leaving you with a beautiful buttressing base.
I agree that this is the most attractive view, I'm just a sucker for hollowed out trees.
 

entrari

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Hmmm. Yeah. The current front seems to make the most sense especially when I consider the branches. Might have to lose a branch if I change the front.
 

penumbra

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OK, so maybe this is unorthodox, but I think I would have this plant in a round pot, or a hexagon, so I could enjoy multiple views.
 

entrari

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i could do that. But I’d still need to decide on a front so I’d know how to wire the branches.
 

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the Hole in the trunk regularly fills w water. Should I fill it or drill a drain hole or just leave it alone?
 

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Removed the putty that was placed in by the previous owner to check the condition of the wood. Found a nest of ants in a couple of really big holes. This is about two inches in diameter. How do you guys deal w holes? Do you fill them up or carve out a drain? This is at the tip of the trunk before it bifurcates.
 

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BrianBay9

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Removed the putty that was placed in by the previous owner to check the condition of the wood. Found a nest of ants in a couple of really big holes. This is about two inches in diameter. How do you guys deal w holes? Do you fill them up or carve out a drain? This is at the tip of the trunk before it bifurcates.

Are you trying to heal over the hole, or make it a feature? If you want to heal it, fill it with epoxy to let the tree grow over more easily. If you're going for a feature then drill a drain.
 

Katie0317

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I would go with #1 also. I don't like seeing the hole in front, it's sort of 'in your face' and I don't think it's nearly as good as photo 1.

Also agree that it appears to be leaning back and if you want to see it differently use a wedge of wood to tip it forward so you can see it from different angles.

Think a different pot would be a plus too. Think a rectangle works but something much simpler.

Lovely tree though.
 

entrari

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Will try to lean the tree forward. I’d like to cover the holes if I could or leave it if it won’t hurt the tree. They’re not visible from the front anyway. But I’m especially concerned w the hole on top. It’s quite huge.
The second hollow I could probably patch up and leave the third?
 

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penumbra

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It is your tree and I can see no right or wrong, just opinions. I see all of these holes as features personally. That is just another opinion.
 

entrari

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Thanks.
It is your tree and I can see no right or wrong, just opinions. I see all of these holes as features personally. That is just another opinion.
Just wanted to keep the tree healthy.
 
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