Wild Olive - Converted to literati

[Dorian Fourie]

NIce work, I agree, no drop branches, this tree needs branches that rise slightly above horizontal. Its trunk is reaching for the sky, don't contradict that with branches than go below horizontal. All branches should be at least 15 to 45 degrees above horizontal.

consider letting a bud or two at the cut scars grow to escape branches, to help heal over the scars. Might not have to heal completely, just enough to get a natural roll of bark over the edges of the cuts.

Nice tree.

Thanks Leo. I really love literati and I know that this one can become a great literati so I will definitely keep that in mind. I will have to start searching the web to find articles about literati and make sure I study up on this.

 

[Dorian Fourie]

I agree with Leo. You've given the tree a great new direction and focus. Great work!

Thanks Leo

Appreciate it

 

[Dorian Fourie]

If "front" shows dead wood but also greatest movement this might be better idea then just showing most dead wood.
Think happy compromise.
Also where pruning stubs remain use of knob cutter would hasten natural looking heal over and eliminate obtrusive stubs.

Thanks Potawatomi. Appreciate it.

I will clean up that cut area slightly.

 

[Joshua Blaine Havermahl]

I also inherited a wild olive that although much smaller and younger(15 to 20 years) is of a very similar style with a deadwood streak in almost the same place and so I naturally made the same choice to go for a literati style and these are the results I've gotten over the past year.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I naturally made the same choice to go for a literati style and these are the results I've gotten over the past year.

I really like what you did with your tree... but that isn't a literati. At some level what does it matter if the tree looks nice - as yours does? But a literati style is a completely different style - and it's all about a long expressive trunk. Your is a classic informal upright.

 

[clevetromba]

Now I had a look at the tree and I believe that this is the correct front. It shows off the deadwood nicely.
View attachment 121435

I will need to start wiring the upper branches downwards.

Anybody like to hand out some thoughts, advice, suggestions? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Did you end up wiring the tree this year? How is it looking?

 

[Dorian Fourie]

I also inherited a wild olive that although much smaller and younger(15 to 20 years) is of a very similar style with a deadwood streak in almost the same place and so I naturally made the same choice to go for a literati style and these are the results I've gotten over the past year.

Very nice what you have done. I really like it but I agree with BNut that yours is a informal upright. Great work on that tree though.

 

[Dorian Fourie]

Did you end up wiring the tree this year? How is it looking?

Hi clevetromba

I did end up wiring it. I am still in 2 minds of exactly the future of this tree is the canopy should be up or if I should have the branches down.

What I did is wired 3 of the new branches downward and gave them plenty of movement. They have been wired now for about 6-7 months so the wire should be able to come off.



What I have tried to do with the branches I brought down is match them to almost run back along the trunk. There are 3 branches wired downwards but currently the following one is the strongest and looking like the most likely one

 

[JosephCooper]

I love seeing such unusual trees, this is very unique!