Two of my Cotoneasters showing the final bits of Autumn colour.
This first one had the apex air layered off this year and will need some major growth next year to fill out the image.
This little mame one changed so quickly I nearly missed it altogether.
This is the root over rock Cotoneaster that I air layered the apex off during the year.
Previous posts here:
I was putting it away for the Winter and gave the apex a final adjustment before I did. The new apex was a side branch that I’ve brought up using wire and a guy line. I have been doing this in stages during the year as it seemed prone to crack if it was done in one step.
I am looking forward to developing a new apex on this tree next year. By doing this I feel that I’m making my own mark/improvement on the tree after the hard work of the previous owner.
A few more tree record snaps taken of my my trees. After a few years not bothering my arse to keep decent photographic records, I’m determined to use this blog as a way of keeping them up to date.
Japanese Larch
Scots Pine
Hawthorn
Cotoneaster
Spirea
Potentilla
Cotoneaster
Ben brought this little Cotoneaster along to the workshop last weekend. While Peter was busy doing the deadwood on several Larch, Ben and I had a look at this little fellow. I could have sworn I took a before photo but I can’t one one of it now! Anyway, this is it after we gave the few pruning scars a little bit of refinement with the dremel to make them more natural looking. Some fine wire was added to get the young branches positioned in the right areas. Next year this will fill out rapidly and create a lovely little tree.
Following on from my last post, I have done a few quick pot virtuals. Having neglected this tree in terms of styling and design for years, it’s about time I did all I can to improve it. I could just sell it and be done, but, being one of my first trees, I just can’t do it!
Anyway, here are a few virtuals. I have also added a little foliage to fill out the image slightly.
I did these 2 with shallower ovals, as per Peter’s comment suggestion on the other post. Both improve the overall image.
However I think the shape of this pot suits the tree better. I suppose personal taste comes into this. I even added a few extra berries 🙂
Having done the one above I decided to shrink the pot a tad. This , I think, is the best of the 4 options I tried.
This Cotoneaster was one of my first trees. Previous Post
As stated previously, I’m not happy with the look of this tree. I have been over looking it on purpose for a while but yesterday I tweaked it a little to try and hide a few faults.
This was it yesterday morning.
Three faults that I tried to tackle where:
1. This long straight branch showing under the main pad of foliage.
2. This ugly curving branch.
3. These 2 visible branches that catch the eye.
I was able to hide number 1 by adjusting the foliage of the pad with wire dropping it to break the line of the branch. Straight lines in an image catch the eye.
Again, number 2 was concealed by dropping the foliage from another branch down in front of it. Further growth will be needed to complete this.
Fault 3 was solved by a little wiring in the apex to move the foliage to create a nicer apex but also stop the eye being drawn ring through the image to the straight back branch.
I then decided to play about with the position of the primary branch by using a guy line to pull it backwards.This is hard to see in a 2D image. I may decide to change this again.
It is amazing how different a tree looks in a photo. Some new growth will be needed to complete what I started.
As this is one of the first trees I ever carved, I should really pay more attention to how it looks. The longer a tree sits on your bench, the more you take it for granted. It’s hard to always look at a tree with fresh eyes. A lesson I’m trying to learn.
Evening Session:
Stan and his Cascade Cotoneaster came over to my place last night. He had done a little wiring and styling on it a while back, but after a great start, he didn’t know how to proceed.
The apex was a problem, not much to work with. A some point a shari will be needed to disguise the chop mark.
After a little work.
With a years growth this should make a nice image.
Looks as if my squat Cotoneaster stump has survived collection from a garden at the end of April.
From This in April
To this at the end of June..
and today..
Links to the older posts about this material.
Today’s addition to the My Bonsai Tab is a few of my smallest trees. This includes Juniper, Rowan, Cotoneaster and Ivy. Some I’ve had for many years and some are new. I do have others in training but are not much to look at for now. I’ll add them as they progress.
HERE is the page link, or just click on the image below to view.
I have recently added a few of my better mame trees to a tufa rock planting. As it comes together, I hope to do a Case Study page about it.
The Cotoneaster that my brother pulled out of a garden is looking good.
Here’s the story so far.
This is it now. It’s a squat chunky wee fella with lots of scope for carving. My hand for scale.
It liking the conditions in the poly tunnel and the nice open mix of grit and cat litter. It’s even budding up at the top of the tallest trunk.
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