Input on black olive

[Trimaptim]

Hey guys, this is a before and where it's at now pic. When I got it, it was pretty bare, but I've been cutting it back and forming some good pads. I also put it in a big training pot to let the roots grow and help with foliage. What is the next step for this besides growing and thicken up some branches? I don't know much about black olive bonsai, if you have a pic of one for inspiration, post it up.

 

[sorce]

I kinda wanna cut off the tall trunk.

Sorce

 

[jimib]

I really don’t know much about olive, but I would like to suggest a better background for pics, especially the second one. It’s hard to see with other foliage in the background.

 

[Trimaptim]

I kinda wanna cut off the tall trunk.

Sorce

For what purpose?

 

[just.wing.it]

For what purpose?

Making the smallest tree you can with the given material.
Choping the tree down to the first branch will let you turn that branch into the new next section of the trunk.

 

[Atom#28]

I kinda wanna cut off the tall trunk.

Sorce

like right here?





or down here?

 

[Anthony]

an effort

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Atom, I like your second chop location. Then tilt the remaining tree towards vertical. The main trunk has no movement or taper but there could be nice movement utilizing those branches as the new trunk. The top of this tree doesnt do much for me but could be air layered above the straight section for later development.

It looks healthy though so great job!

 

[Trimaptim]

Thanks all for your input...I appreciate it. I've only been working with bonsai for a little under a year. But I haven't killed a tree yet, even with trunk chopping two elms. *Knocks on wood* I like the idea of chopping this one. Though I may air layer so the top doesn't go to waste.

 

[sorce]

down here?

No likely.

Sorce

 

[Trimaptim]

I have decided to not chop this black olive after a lot of thinking. I will report next time with a different angle to give the trunk a bit more move to it. It was a hard decision but given that these are a very slow growing tree, I don't want to set it back that far since it has good growth on it. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[penumbra]

Black olive will not respond well to a heavy chop. If you have to do it, do it in the summer. BTW, I think it looks fabulous like it is. Guess I'm easy.

 

[Trimaptim]

Black olive will not respond well to a heavy chop. If you have to do it, do it in the summer. BTW, I think it looks fabulous like it is. Guess I'm easy.

Thank you! It's a work in progress trying to get better foliage pads...I'm also trying to thicken the trunk with a few different methods.

 

[Mike Hennigan]

I gotta say i’m With @sorce on this one. Completely removing the taller trunk would give you a much more interesting tree. The leaves are small, not totally necessary to thicken the trunk either.

 

[Trimaptim]

I'm curious, those who say to cut it down, do you have this species of tree in your collection? If so, I'd be interested in seeing your success with cutting yours down.

 

[sorce]

Forgive my poor answering of those questions....I been on some BS lately.

I'm curious, those who say to cut it down, do you have this species of tree in your collection? If so, I'd be interested in seeing your success with cutting yours down.

Do you want to know if the wound will heal?

This "cut it off" advice is purely design advice, it doesn't have anything to do with when you should cut it, or if you should seal it, or if you should cut it.

That left trunk looks so dope like that! I'd cut it without question right to where @Mike Hennigan redlined it.

It seems like it only looks good from this front where it moves left . ....
But that trunkline is fucking pimp.

Well worth years of work to build a tree around.

Great roots too! Just strong.
The strength needed to hold that heavy lean and great bulk.

This is, or can be, a dope tree!

See @JudyB olive thread. Chop it!

Sorce

 

[Trimaptim]

Forgive my poor answering of those questions....I been on some BS lately.



Do you want to know if the wound will heal?

This "cut it off" advice is purely design advice, it doesn't have anything to do with when you should cut it, or if you should seal it, or if you should cut it.

That left trunk looks so dope like that! I'd cut it without question right to where @Mike Hennigan redlined it.

It seems like it only looks good from this front where it moves left . ....
But that trunkline is fucking pimp.

Well worth years of work to build a tree around.

Great roots too! Just strong.
The strength needed to hold that heavy lean and great bulk.

This is, or can be, a dope tree!

See @JudyB olive thread. Chop it!

Sorce

Yeah I want to know how well these trees handle chopping. Because from what I've heard from people who have done it, it's better left alone and chopping is a last resort. I am curious about progression of new growth, what I could expect. And I looked for that post you said, but couldn't find it. Do you have a link?

 

[sorce]

Do you have a link?

It is a different tree. This is just my favorite "chop it" thread.

Help needed with Eu. Olive styling

I picked this tree up for the bark, and the nebari. I have yet to find an angle that pleases me for a front. The bend for me is too abrupt and singular. Pay no attention to the bad soil, that is what it was in when I got it. I slip potted in the fall slightly larger pot... The roots are...

www.bonsainut.com

I don't believe in wood hardener and all that preservation jazz, but I'd look into if need be, to get that trunkline.

Sorce