refine bougainvillea trunk

sam

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collected this 30+ year purple bougainvillea last week. before the tree begins pushing new roots and buds, the plan is to clean up the rough field cuts and do some preliminary carving - setting the direction for the future. #1 before work starts. the tree will be styled as a semi-cascade #2 the cluster of cut branches top/left will form the apex, but its very crowded and disorganized . chalk marks where wood will be taken out. #3 the first cuts are made with a 10 inch chain saw. #4 the short saw is light and easy to handle in tight places. #5 the saw cuts are smoothed with a beaver carving bit supplied by carlos costa of portugal, then smoothed again with a radial saw bit
 

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sam

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#6 the tree now has a coherent apex. the bulge at the base left has been taken off- making for a smooth transition of the trunk into the soil. #7 in the future, one of the two branches on the right will either be shortened or removed.
 

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Dav4

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Hi Sam. I've been following your exploits with all those collected bougies. Thanks for all the pics and play by play. I'll probably never own a bougie, but I enjoy following their development in your back yard. Good luck with them and keep on posting.

Dave
 

sam

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thanks, dave

best wishes, sam
 

sam

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15 " trunk at soil. 21" wide at top. 23 " tall
 

sam

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thanks tree.

a friend and I kept 34 of 68 collected from a hedge planted in 1982, so the saw dust is gonna fly! when these big guys develop and flower, it'll be something to behold

best wishes, sam
 
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sam

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another coupla big stumps

another bougainvillea from the same hedge. moyogi first planted as han kengai. base at soil 12 inches. height 23 inches. branch stubs jinned.

best wishes, sam
 

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sam

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kauai bougainvillea. 12 inches at soil line. currently 37 inches high - to be shortened to 21 inches. original planting angle adjusted.

best wishes, sam
 

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sam

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further progress kauai bougainvillea (cont)

shortening the height creates a unsightly problem - a 4 inch wide cut scar. the big stub is shaped down with power tools improving the flow and taper from the lower to upper trunk. the bark scar is twice as large and ugly as it was before. we create an asset from a liability by hollowing under the large scar to create uro. the surface of the hollow is pocked with openings to create eye appeal. we now have the possibility of two fronts. new growth is popping all over the upper trunk. picking an apex and future branches is not going to be a problem.
 

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