I have two more trees to pop into my poly tunnel. A mate brought these on Friday night and I offered to look after them for a while.
The Chinese Elm had nearly died during the Spring due to Frost damage. I had revived it and given it back a lush green colour. It went from poly tunnel to his back garden were a few months seems to have turned it red! No new growth is visible and the red is probably down to a change in environment. We decided that a return to the tunnel for the Winter was the best course of action.
The original post about this tree can be viewed here. ELM RECOVERY
He also brought 2 Japanese Maples. One was in a bad way and had lost several main branches. I was unsure of the cause. I guessed at a drying out but was worried about it being a viral thing so I advised him to pop it into a bigger pot of pure grit and take it home.
The other maple was a little deshojo that again appeared to have been dried out or had a total loss of leaves due to wind burn. It was now pushing out a new flush off tiny leaves behind the dried out branches. I offered to pop it into the tunnel for protection from the elements and to keep an eye on how it progressed in the next month or two.
and this is it after a trim.
Of all his trees in my care, this is the one I’m least looking forward to caring for! Over Wintering could be a challenge and, as a garden shrub, they are not long lived. I would say this crosses over to bonsai as well.
Buddleia
Speckled Wood
Red Admiral
One man (Stephen) and his dog (Rufus) My home town of Ards in the background.
Scrabo Tower.
Mountain Ash Berries ripening.
Who says trees in nature don’t have one branch growing below another? This big Spanish Chestnut disagrees.
Morning sun in the upper branches of a beautiful Scots Pine.
Fuchsia growing wild below the tower.
A cottage in the country.
The North Quarry, long disused. This is where all the famous Scrabo stone comes from and the pink sandstone can be seen on many of the old buildings in the area. It was also exported all around the world. The quarry is now home to Peregrine Falcons and Kestrels.
and after…
On removal of the black plastic and cling film, we were delighted to see a profusion of new roots within the moss.
After a quick swish of my saw…
Now the contrived apex has been removed, Stephen will be concentrating on developing a new apex in a more natural form to suit the tree. The air layer itself is going to make a lovely little semi cascade. I’ll keep you updated here with how it goes.
and after pinching…
Bonsai Eejit 