creating deadwood on collected bougainvillea

[sam]

today's bonsai project was to create deadwood on a large bougainvillea yamadori of mine. a part of the upper trunk had been previouly stripped of its bark and was ready to be worked. green bougainvillea wood is quite fiberous lending itself to the tearing techniques perfected by cheng cheng kung of taiwan. the tools used for this labor intensive process ( which is only partially complete) was a sharp gouge, a light hammer, and jin pliers. the first picture shows the tree before work starts. the barewood at the upper right of the tree will receive attention, as will the curved section at the bottom left of the trunk. the next 4 pictures show progress as the smooth debarked wood is torn to create interest and character.

best wishes, sam

 

[sam]

more deadwood

wood fibers torn from the tree. the result is fissured and textured deadwood-replicating to a small degree, what mother nature would create over many years. picture 2 shows the stub at the bottom of the trunk. the last 3 pictures are different views of today's work. at the end of the day, the project is half done.

best wishes, sam

 

[jk_lewis]

Don't expect the deadwod to last any time at all. Bougy wood rots esier than almost anything I know.

 

[bryson]

Looking good! Thanks for sharing.