Time to Spruce Things Up!

[just.wing.it]

$13...
Worth the fun!
Wanted to dig deeper, but I'll let it be for now...



Looked like this from all sides:


Top:


After the assault....:







Left the top two branches alone...
One will become a jin at some point, but I want it to give it a little chance of survival.
I did back fill the container after.

 

[KiwiPlantGuy]

$13...
Worth the fun!
Wanted to dig deeper, but I'll let it be for now...

View attachment 165467

Looked like this from all sides:
View attachment 165468

Top:
View attachment 165469

After the assault....:
View attachment 165470
View attachment 165471
View attachment 165472
View attachment 165473
View attachment 165474
View attachment 165475
View attachment 165476
Left the top two branches alone...
One will become a jin at some point, but I want it to give it a little chance of survival.
I did back fill the container after.

Hi just.wing.it,
Nice score with the bargain tree!! I do like the movement in the trunk and the nebari looks pretty strong for a nursery tree. Going for Literati?
But I am sorry, I have 1 complaint, and I hope you won’t take this the wrong way.
I have looked over your photos and am a bit shocked. I guess with Literati style you can’t have a left branch, and right branch before the apex. My main gripe is this - if you can understand my car anology - you have got a car body but no engine ( or very small one). How does this car operate with a tiny engine. Possibly a bit slow.
If you are confused I will explain myself. Simply how does the tree grow with minimal leaves. No photosynthesis = no root action = no leaf growth.
Everyone has their own design strategy and kudos to you for being bold. I am looking forward to this thread to see how the backbudding goes ?? And the future top development.
Charles

 

[just.wing.it]

Hi just.wing.it,
Nice score with the bargain tree!! I do like the movement in the trunk and the nebari looks pretty strong for a nursery tree. Going for Literati?
But I am sorry, I have 1 complaint, and I hope you won’t take this the wrong way.
I have looked over your photos and am a bit shocked. I guess with Literati style you can’t have a left branch, and right branch before the apex. My main gripe is this - if you can understand my car anology - you have got a car body but no engine ( or very small one). How does this car operate with a tiny engine. Possibly a bit slow.
If you are confused I will explain myself. Simply how does the tree grow with minimal leaves. No photosynthesis = no root action = no leaf growth.
Everyone has their own design strategy and kudos to you for being bold. I am looking forward to this thread to see how the backbudding goes ?? And the future top development.
Charles

Just so I understand correctly.... the literati or bunjin shouldn't have the branch pattern I have here....
And you're also telling me I removed too much for the health of the tree...right?

I can't disagree with the latter...
But maybe it can still be interesting, oven if it's a rule breaker...I don't need people to look at it and say, "that's a literati tree!"...but if they do, that's OK too.

We'll see what the future holds!

Edit: also. It does have good taper, but I didn't want to dig down anymore to see the true base of the tree yet....so that'll determine some things...

 

[KiwiPlantGuy]

Just so I understand correctly.... the literati or bunjin shouldn't have the branch pattern I have here....
And you're also telling me I removed too much for the health of the tree...right?

I can't disagree with the latter...
But maybe it can still be interesting, oven if it's a rule breaker...I don't need people to look at it and say, "that's a literati tree!"...but if they do, that's OK too.

We'll see what the future holds!

Edit: also. It does have good taper, but I didn't want to dig down anymore to see the true base of the tree yet....so that'll determine some things...

Hi,
I think you got my point second time with “maybe too many branches cut for strong growth - my opinion”. I was probably expecting to see a lower bottom left branch nicely started to pad out , but my eyes got a shock lol when I scrolled down :-(.
I don’t hAve a problem with your future ideas for the tree, just my Horticultural brain ticking away lol.
I will watch and wait for the next round of growth.
Charles

 

[just.wing.it]

Hi,
I think you got my point second time with “maybe too many branches cut for strong growth - my opinion”. I was probably expecting to see a lower bottom left branch nicely started to pad out , but my eyes got a shock lol when I scrolled down :-(.
I don’t hAve a problem with your future ideas for the tree, just my Horticultural brain ticking away lol.
I will watch and wait for the next round of growth.
Charles

Here's my other one, similar depot find from last year...

I left the top branches alone for now on this one too as I know spruces can react poorly to wiring...

 

[augustine]

Will make a nice tree in the right container. I would not reduce the root ball down to display container size in one go. Take at least 2 repottings. Remove from nursery can and saw off about 1/3 the rootball. Bare root half.

I have found that in our area they repot very well around April 1. If the calendar does not work repot when buds start to swell. And leave it be next year. Hope it survives. Buy another and plant in the yard. It could be nice material in years to come.

 

[KiwiPlantGuy]

Here's my other one, similar depot find from last year...
View attachment 165589
I left the top branches alone for now on this one too as I know spruces can react poorly to wiring...
View attachment 165590
View attachment 165591

Hi @just.wing.it,
Ahhhh, now I see why you went for a different design with the other tree. Now I like both lol. .
Apart from the bottom bar branches? Have you got a plan/thinking?
Charles
P.S. just remembered, I can post a photo but I have found a really really cool tree lately - Tsuga heterophylla.