Pyracantha

[Brian Van Fleet]

A few caveats:

1. Carving with power tools is not my strength
2. I wouldn't be carving this tree, except for the fact that the front started showing splits with dead wood underneath, visible in the before photo.
3. It's a work in progress, and will end up deeper and wider, but first, the tree needs to be healthy.

So far, the outline is a bit contrived, but the goal was to remove the rotting wood, preserve some bark on the outside of the curve, and to eventually run it up the left trunk and widen it to include the right side as well. From the side, the lower part of the trunk is flat and leans back, and the two trunks pitch forward. If I get it right, carving can make it look like it was rounder to begin with. More next year after it mellows a bit and it can take the next step.

 

[misfit11]

I think it improves the tree, Brian. It adds interest to an otherwise somewhat uninteresting, flat trunk. But, then again, I think every single bonsai tree should have deadwood on it.

Have you considered reducing the height of the left hand trunk? IMHO the heights of the two trees are too similar in height and you are left with somewhat of a slingshot image. Knowing that Pyracantha chop scars take forever to heal, you could possibly do some additional carving at the chop that would echo the carving that you've already done.

Also, consider treating the deadwood with lime sulfur mixed with india ink (a little trick I learned from Harry Harrington). It produces a nice grey color that is appropriate for D trees. Experiment with the amount of ink to get the right tone.

Nice tree as always.

Cory

 

[Poink88]

I agree with Cory. Maybe reduce the left branch by half? It will shorten that usual straight pyracantha branch...then maybe extend the carving to create an illusion of movement and taper on it (like this very rough virt. I hope you don't mind).

View attachment 27469

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Nice virt, very tempting...we'll see...

Thanks,
BVF

 

[fredtruck]

You did a very good job with carving. This shows promise for future shaping of the tree.

 

[stacy allen muse]

????????????

 

[Brian Underwood]

Good stuff! I'm sure it will look even better with a little more depth and shadow in the hollows.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

We'll see if the trunk chop happens, the profile is good either way, but removing the left does distill it down to a simple design. Fortunately, the branching is there, so the virt can be done in fact with one cut. The section to remove is about the size of a soda can. Carving will have to go in stages to ensure the health of the tree, but by next spring it should be clear if it can proceed.

When Peter was here last, we talked about those "twin peaks", and he suggested to let the right apex grow taller, even though the left trunk was wider. The movement works in that direction. I suppose the chop would still support this idea.

As for berries, it will absolutely cover itself, but once it flowers and fruits start to set, it will not produce any more foliage growth...so over the last couple years, the berries have been removed to get growth instead.

It was collected in '05, as stumps, so the development has been pretty decent.
Here's a photo from '08 with some berries on it,
and another from last year before I had a chance to remove them.

 

[fredtruck]

No matter what you do from here out, this is a very nice tree, Brian.

 

[Dan W.]

This is an impressive tree! I'm looking forward to following it

Love the berries!

 

[edprocoat]

I like it a lot. I am a big fan of twin trunks too, they look so natural and this tree looks ancient as well. I like the carving you done already, it looks fine that way, I would love to see it next year with berries and the carving as the bark starts rolling over the wound.

ed

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Quick update as its starting to bloom...

 

[october]

Wow, you don't really see many pyracantha bonsai of this quality. Well maybe in Japan. This is a magnificent and well done specimen.

Rob

 

[fredtruck]

Pretty nice, Brian. The berries will be something in the late summer.

 

[fore]

That is a damn impressive Pyracantha Brian! You don't see many that large. Thanks for posting

 

[akhater]

I just love Pyracantha's although I have failed with every try to root one from cutting my self

Yours look nothing less than great

thanks for sharing