River's Edge
Masterpiece
The other day i acquired a large Shimpaku " Kishu" . The tree has not been worked on for approximately 10 years. It has changed hands during that time. The last owner set it aside with intention of using it for a demo some day! That was six years ago i believe. The tree is healthy, the roots grew through the pot into the ground for the last few years. The branches have grown out (way out) and the interior died off. I spent the last three days cleaning old needles, and debris. Cutting off dead twigs. Then repotted into one of the deep propagation Andersen flats, nestled into a second one for stability and extra drainage. Due to it being a little later in the season for repotting I chose to excavate the center portion and remove 1 1/2 inches from the sides. The remaining rootball was pretty good, the centre was powdery and dry with few roots alive. The next step will be to open up the branches to allow light and thin to produce bud back over time.
The following pictures show the main two sides, remaining root ball and the progress on beginning to open up the branching.
The trunk is 4 inches above the flare, no carving has been done on the tree it is basically a good structure and blank slate. Difficult to tell if it was ever designed or worked on for any length of time. I am working for a considerable change in the next five years.
The first steps will be the most cautious to begin transition and ensure the tree stays healthy going forward while it grows backward and inward. Once I finish wiring branches gently into better position for light that will be it for a while. Wait for the root recovery and then begin the cutback and thinning over time. perhaps a little carving next winter.
The following pictures show the main two sides, remaining root ball and the progress on beginning to open up the branching.
The trunk is 4 inches above the flare, no carving has been done on the tree it is basically a good structure and blank slate. Difficult to tell if it was ever designed or worked on for any length of time. I am working for a considerable change in the next five years.
The first steps will be the most cautious to begin transition and ensure the tree stays healthy going forward while it grows backward and inward. Once I finish wiring branches gently into better position for light that will be it for a while. Wait for the root recovery and then begin the cutback and thinning over time. perhaps a little carving next winter.