Worth working on?

berobinson82

berobinson82

Omono
Messages
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Location
Central Virginia, US
USDA Zone
7a
Hi.

I frequent a nursery and the proprietor has this JM on the lot. He says he can not sell it and as such will offer me a deal on the tree. It's interesting but very straight. The hollow is about 12" tall.

Album Link:

http://imgur.com/a/l2qeG

Think it's worth the investment in time? I'm sure the price will be attractive.

Thanks for taking a look and offering suggestions.

-B
 
Even if it is grafted, I think it would be a cool project, assuming the price is right. That lower trunk is interesting and it appears to have a descent nebari. You can always thread graft foliage onto the lower trunk (the rootstock?) and eventually lose the upper portion (graft) completely. It will never be a classical A. palmatum bonsai...I think you will have to grow equally gnarly branches and apex to match the trunk. Again, if the price is right, I'd probably take it home.
 
Last edited:
this trees has a lot of potential... great dead trunk.... one I would buy if I saw it.... the straightness of the trunk if fine as it has a great naturally hollow trunk...

Dav4 said:
It will never be a classical A. palmatum bonsai...I think you will have to grow equally gnarly branches and apex to match the trunk.
Click to expand...
My thoughts exactly... plus it'll be something special ...
 
I was secretly hoping for this sentiment. I'll scoop her up. Where would you guys/gals chop it? I'm concerned about new shoots coming off of that lower trunk...
 
Yup, (if you can beat raydomz to it....;) )You didn't list the nursery's address, so you'll probably be ok there....

Seems like the yea's have it.
 
berobinson82 said:
I was secretly hoping for this sentiment. I'll scoop her up. Where would you guys/gals chop it? I'm concerned about new shoots coming off of that lower trunk...
Click to expand...

I must have been writing at the same time as you...
I'd probably chop a couple inches above the direction change. Is there a shoot coming out just above the change? if so, maybe above that. That could be grafted just at that direction change, and you might have a different tree above and below. If so, then get rid of the top above all together...
 
Sure I'd pick it up if the price was right. You could probably even wait year to chop and take a few air layer's off the tree, which in themselves will have a decent trunk caliper to start with.
 
Mike423 said:
Sure I'd pick it up if the price was right. You could probably even wait year to chop and take a few air layer's off the tree, which in themselves will have a decent trunk caliper to start with.
Click to expand...

haha, I thought about air layering also. I guess a year isn't that long really.

Having recently picked up the incurable bonsai bug, I think the number one piece of advice I've heard on so many topics is:

"Wait" and "let nature"

I now understand why some of the members in the club have so many trees!
 
I don't think there's really anything on this worth waiting on an air layer. Part of learning bonsai is picking your battles. :)
 
JudyB said:
Yup, (if you can beat raydomz to it....;) )You didn't list the nursery's address, so you'll probably be ok there....

Seems like the yea's have it.
Click to expand...

I'll be scouring central Virginia!


Judy, I'll have to have you come up some time this spring, there is a guy locally that grows maples and routinely has trees like this..
 
Ray, no one seems to be willing to tell you, so I guess I must. You really shouldn't waste your time on this tree. Send it to me, and you won't have to worry about it. ;)
 
Alright, so I finally got a chance to bargain the nursery for the tree. The price is more than fair at $35 since "hell, i can't sell that thing to anyone else and it's just taking up space". So then, I'm curious what the best course of action is. Would I kill the guy if I gave it a chop and then repotted it into a large container with some better soil? I'd much rather bring home a stump than the whole tree, obviously. Perhaps give it a chop this year and then repot next spring? Your advice and expertise is appreciated as always.

-B
 
berobinson82 said:
Alright, so I finally got a chance to bargain the nursery for the tree. The price is more than fair at $35 since "hell, i can't sell that thing to anyone else and it's just taking up space". So then, I'm curious what the best course of action is. Would I kill the guy if I gave it a chop and then repotted it into a large container with some better soil? I'd much rather bring home a stump than the whole tree, obviously. Perhaps give it a chop this year and then repot next spring? Your advice and expertise is appreciated as always.

-B
Click to expand...

Go for it .... take a pruning saw with you and cut it a few inches above the top of the hollow to give yourself options ... you are just shortening for transport .... I always love the look on the nursery owners face when you walk over and saw off 80% of the tree you just bought :)

you can then repot it into better soil come spring ... keep us updated ...
 
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