Large crape myrtle in training.

[bonhe]

Hi all,
I like to share with you one of my joy in my collection.
This large crape myrtle was transferred to my care in 10/2010.

Its first pictures in 10/2010.


In 11/2011, I wired the right lower branch down. Its picture was in 2012.



Started carving its trunk in 11/2013


Started bending those big branches on the top on 3/15/2014 when its buds started swelling up.
As you all know, the crape myrtle tends to send the shoots, branches straight upward. Now it is time to bring those guys down since I satisfied with their diameter.
I used the elastic fabric with the width is about 2 cm. (you can use the T shirt if you want to), and soaked it in the water before wrapping.
I had to use the branch bender to help me in bending. Some crack sounds were heard in the process!!! Its wood was so thick and brittle!

Before.







After.



I totally bended 5 branches.
The tree was yesterday. Grows healthy! Still few more steps to go before it get to the final image.










Happy Sunday!
Bonhe

 

[Poink88]

That sure is big!

Looks like you saved it...the original pic looks dying.

 

[Dav4]

Love the trunk and great carving job. Any chance the branch on the left can be lowered a bit more, perhaps with a guy wire?

 

[jk_lewis]

Very nice. It looks to me like that left branch should be ben6t down and a fair bit forward.

 

[bonhe]

Thanks for all responses.

That sure is big!

Looks like you saved it...the original pic looks dying.

Yes, it is big enough for 3 people!

Love the trunk and great carving job. Any chance the branch on the left can be lowered a bit more, perhaps with a guy wire?

Thanks. I intend to bring it down more but not at this year. I may use cut and grow technique to finish this branch.

Very nice. It looks to me like that left branch should be ben6t down and a fair bit forward.

Thanks. I agree. I just finished the first step to train this branch.
Bonhe

 

[Paulsur]

Really great job with turning an ugly stump into a compelling tree.

 

[bonhe]

This tree was pruned twice this year! Lot of flowers.
Here it is (after the 2nd pruning this afternoon.)




Bonhe

 

[Cadillactaste]

I am always amazed at when one carves on a tree. How one determines how far they can go without causing death to live branches.

 

[Txhorticulture]

Treat the wood?

Thats an awesome tree. Do you ever intend to treat the dead wood with something like like sulphur?

I don't think it needs it it looks great.

And what do you carve it with? A rotary tool?

 

[iant]

Beautiful trunk. I have to say, and I might be in the minority here, but I don't like the down going main branches. It's a very unnatural look to me. I'd make a bigger tree and have them just a little uplifted from horizontal. Check out post http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?16073-What-s-it-like-to-attend-an-Intensive-program/page2
Post 69. I know that's about sub branching but I think with deciduous it applies as well with trunk to main branch angles.
IMHO
Ian

 

[jk_lewis]

I agree. Crape myrtle tend to reach upward toward the sun. You will have a better tree if you let it do this -- unless, of course, you are designing it to be something other than a crape myrtle.

 

[bonhe]

I am always amazed at when one carves on a tree. How one determines how far they can go without causing death to live branches.

The hard wood in the core of the trunk or branch does not have any vessels, so that one can remove it as much as it could, but have to watch for the trunk support!

Thats an awesome tree. Do you ever intend to treat the dead wood with something like like sulphur?

I don't think it needs it it looks great.

And what do you carve it with? A rotary tool?

Thanks. I don't intend to use lime sulfur for it.
I used the drill with those heads



and die grinder with those burrs.


Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

Beautiful trunk. I have to say, and I might be in the minority here, but I don't like the down going main branches. It's a very unnatural look to me. I'd make a bigger tree and have them just a little uplifted from horizontal. Check out post http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?16073-What-s-it-like-to-attend-an-Intensive-program/page2
Post 69. I know that's about sub branching but I think with deciduous it applies as well with trunk to main branch angles.
IMHO
Ian

I agree. Crape myrtle tend to reach upward toward the sun. You will have a better tree if you let it do this -- unless, of course, you are designing it to be something other than a crape myrtle.

Thank you for your opinion. I styled this tree based on the one I found on one of the properties here!
Bonhe