Northern White Spruce; 1 year progression

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I've followed the BN forums, taking advantage of all the generous information that members post. So here's my first proper contribution: A 1 year progression of a an old spruce. This, along with the other 3 progressions I'll post are the 1st trees I've styled, so you'll see many flaws. The final progression is not the end, this tree has many years to go.
Here is the tree as I bought it June 14th, 2013:

 

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Trunk Bend, Guy Wires

Here in Santa Cruz, CA it's December 2013. The heat is out of the air and it's time to finish removing 3 year needles and bend the trunk in 2 places.

 

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Trunk Bend; Detail

Here, the trunk is cut on the inside of each bend; guy wires added to hold the trunk in place.

 

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Early Spring 2014

It's late February/March in Santa Cruz. Days are considerably warmer and the evergreens are starting to stretch. Here I've carved the deadwood, created shari and advanced turnbuckles. Branches were wired in Mid January 2014

 

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April 15th, 2014

Here she is; the result of the 1st initial styling and my first styled tree.

 

[tmmason10]

Wow, very impressive. Your first styled tree?

 

[Jester217300]

Well shit. I'd say that's a successful first styling. I'm still messing around with nursery stock.

Nicely done, I'm excited to see the other trees you mentioned

 

[berobinson82]

So what were you practicing on before this? Seems an awful lofty styling for a first timer.

Great progression pics. It would be great for this site if you'd continue to post your work.

Cheers,
B

 

[JudyB]

uh, yeah - what they said ^^^. Nice work, please show us more!

 

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Thanks for the kind words

There's just something gripping about creating a piece of art that lives, breathes and grows. It's very challenging

-AFRAME

 

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Wow, very impressive. Your first styled tree?

Yes sir, thank you

 

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So what were you practicing on before this? Seems an awful lofty styling for a first timer.

Great progression pics. It would be great for this site if you'd continue to post your work.

Cheers,
B

I didn't have anything to practice on, just researched.

 

[Smoke]

I have been doing demo's for the Santa Cruz group for a few years. Did not do the last two years since I had some health issue with my wife. I studied with Kinoshita for ten years and translated all his demo's here in Fresno. I do make the yearly exhibit every year, so where have you been hiding?

 

[Vance Wood]

Wow, very impressive. Your first styled tree?

Yes I too am impressed. There is great potential in this tree let's hope it prospers.

 

[Eric Schrader]

Nice work. Keep it up. All three of the trees you've posted are nice. Let us know when you'll be showing so I can make the trip down to Santa Cruz or Monterey.

 

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Nice work. Keep it up. All three of the trees you've posted are nice. Let us know when you'll be showing so I can make the trip down to Santa Cruz or Monterey.

I think they've got a ways to go before showing, but I'm going to join SC bonsai Kai. I'll give y'all a heads up if I get to show them ever. That's is a great blog you have Eric.

 

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Yes I too am impressed. There is great potential in this tree let's hope it prospers.

Thank you MR. Wood, you've been training shimpaku and mugo since before I was born, I've read many of your posts

 

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Some structural pruning during design work. Dec '13

 

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Jan 2016

 

[Vance Wood]

Very nice. I assume the wounds you made for the bending have healed up well?