Large Yamadori Hawthorn

[Poink88]

PS. I have to say, the real big hawthorn you've collected there looks... very sinister. Almost like a tree in some ancient forest from a dark folktale that you would rather not enter. Like Hansel and Gretel got lost in there. Haha! There's far too many graceful Bonsai out there, let's have some more sinister trees, love it!

My kind of tree.

I really love this tree.

 

[Lee Brindley]

Thanks everybody for the replies.

Very nice! One question: I notice your generous use of live sphagnum moss with the collected tree. As I am planning to collect a number of Hawthorn yamadori pretty soon over on this side of the pond, and I have really been looking into the use of sphagnum with newly collected trees... do you mix the live sphagnum into your soil as well, wrap it around the roots, or do you just put a thick layer of it on top of your soil?

PS. I have to say, the real big hawthorn you've collected there looks... very sinister. Almost like a tree in some ancient forest from a dark folktale that you would rather not enter. Like Hansel and Gretel got lost in there. Haha! There's far too many graceful Bonsai out there, let's have some more sinister trees, love it!

Hi Cypress. I have collected hawthorns and potted them without sphagnum moss in the past. To date I have never lost one with or without moss. I am fortunate to be able to collect sphagnum locally, so I mix it in with my inorganic soil to bulk it out and save me a few quid on soil. An extra layer on top helps to keep the humidity up.

I like the sinister look too. Most deciduous trees don't really do it for me. I am not into dainty maples and such, but these hawthorns have a rugged, almost coniferous feel to them for me.

 

[ml_work]

" I have to say, the real big hawthorn you've collected there looks... very sinister. Almost like a tree in some ancient forest from a dark folktale that you would rather not enter. Like Hansel and Gretel got lost in there."

I agree, the tree reminds me of a game I played 100 years ago. It was an early computer game called Kings Quest, the guy got lost in a forest of trees that look like yours and yes a witch caught him and locked him a Candy house

I really like the tree.

 

[Lee Brindley]

Thanks all. One question I have is what do you think of the large root with ingrown rock? Its a queer thing which enters the soil on both ends and has fibrous roots at either end. It is basically grafted onto the main tree in the middle - perhaps it was a separate tree at some point? Does it need removing or does it add to the character?

 

[Paulkellum]

I would remove it. It draws your eye to it and detracts from the power of the tree. Zoomed in it looks kewl but it's out of proportion with trunk size.

 

[Poink88]

I would remove it. It draws your eye to it and detracts from the power of the tree. Zoomed in it looks kewl but it's out of proportion with trunk size.

I agree. It is a good conversation piece on its own but not good for the tree in general IMHO.

 

[fore]

Agreed, but then what to do about the lg. gap left

 

[tmpgh]

It also may leave a flat depression on the trunk which will look unnatural. I'd leave it and maybe cover it with moss.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

What would you say to removing the rock and grafting or via fusion of cuttings to fill in that space?

 

[Cypress]

Honestly I didn't even notice the rock there in the picture of the whole tree. I do now that I know it's there. But looks darker in color in that first picture, maybe that's why. Honestly I kind of like it, it matches the feel of this tree better than it would match many other trees. You'd have to think about the gap it will make if you do remove it too. I think maybe grow some moss on it or try to stain it a bit darker (if that's possible) so it won't draw the eye as much.

 

[Poink88]

I don't know how it looks w/o the wrap around root (removed) but something to consider also.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Honestly I didn't even notice the rock there in the picture of the whole tree. I do now that I know it's there. But looks darker in color in that first picture, maybe that's why. Honestly I kind of like it, it matches the feel of this tree better than it would match many other trees. You'd have to think about the gap it will make if you do remove it too. I think maybe grow some moss on it or try to stain it a bit darker (if that's possible) so it won't draw the eye as much.

That might be because the upper portion of the tree is so beautiful and interesting, but once the leaves start to grow out, the eyes will start to examine the rest of the tree. That's the case with me.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

You could always stain the rock darker so it just blends in if removing it would create a void.

 

[berobinson82]

I think I'd leave the rock.. It's natural. It's how the tree grew. However, I'd be tempted to carve an interesting hollow in the end to reduce its prominence in the total design.

 

[youngsai]

I thought primate made a good suggestion, just graft in some new roots after removing it

Am I wrong vets, is that not A viable option, I daresay best option if he is insistent on getting rid od the rock?

 

[gergwebber]

What conditions are creating such great contorted branching? Is there a fierce prevailing wind, or are they being browsed by cattle or sheep?

 

[Lee Brindley]

Thanks everybody for the input. I am considering carving and reducing the root as I think an ugly scar could occur if the root and rock were removed. We will see.

What conditions are creating such great contorted branching? Is there a fierce prevailing wind, or are they being browsed by cattle or sheep?

There is a very strong coastal wind as well as grazing sheep. Also the trees are growing in scree with frequent landslides which crush and contort the trees.

 

[berobinson82]

Thanks everybody for the input. I am considering carving and reducing the root as I think an ugly scar could occur if the root and rock were removed. We will see.



There is a very strong coastal wind as well as grazing sheep. Also the trees are growing in scree with frequent landslides which crush and contort the trees.

Just happened to see this vid tonight again. He does an operation on an ugly root. Just some random guy on the innanet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0PEY0BP1VI

 

[Lee Brindley]

Just happened to see this vid tonight again. He does an operation on an ugly root. Just some random guy on the innanet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0PEY0BP1VI

Thanks. Yes this was exactly the sort of thing I was thinking of. I have watched all of Graham's videos before - excellent stuff!

 

[Lee Brindley]

Its nice to see some green coming through on this old tree.