Yew dig? [Insert silly Yew pun here]

[Atom#28]

I dug up this old yew out of my yard. I’d been eyeballing this guy since I first learned about using landscape material for bonsai! This project is going to take a long time, and I have lots of decisions to make. For now, it’s in 80% pumice 20% Napa, resting in the shade for a week, and then we spend a summer growing good roots (hopefully!) Wish me luck!
Any suggestions to help me be more successful at bonsai, re: this tree or the process in general, are appreciated.

Hard to see, but the base has a big tunnel in it, and also has almost completely engulfed a golf ball sized basalt rock.

 

[leatherback]

Nice find!

 

[Atom#28]

Update. Lots of work done on this yew. Trying my hand at big bends with raffia and a strong copper backbone. This is a really bizarre form, but I’m starting to like it.

Here it is before this fall’s work.





and then the raffia/copper backbone was applied:




and a little bit of carving: