Literati Ponderosa

[Dan W.]

To celebrate my first post on the new and improved B-nut, here's one of my all time favorite trees. My collecting partner, Steve, collected this tree a couple of years ago, and he graciously passed it along to me last year. I fell in love with this tree the moment I saw it, and have been looking forward to my first chance to work with it. The tree never skipped a beat after collection in May of 2013, and grew incredibly strong all last year.

Here are the before pictures;





And the after's:









This is just the first styling. I expect the foliage to reduce as the tree ramifies, and I will eventually compact the crown a bit. But for now I want as much light in there as possible to encourage back-budding.

Comment's, critique, suggestions welcome. We're all here to learn

 

[Nybonsai12]

This piece of material is nothing short of amazing, character that only a collected tree can have. Looks great after first styling, looking forward to future updates.

 

[Giga]

I must say I'm jealous!

 

[Dan W.]

I'm glad you like it guys.

No Brian (BVF)... I'm not going to remove the drop-branch!

 

[markyscott]

Really great tree! Thanks for sharing it with us. When are you going to find me one of those tropical ponderosa's I can grow in Houston?

Scott

 

[dkraft81]

Great tree Dan!

 

[Djtommy]

Great material, should become great bonsai.
Seeing the shape of the growing box it looks like roots grow a lot to the now upper side. How long do you think before you can put it in a bonsaipot?
Grtz

 

[sorce]

One helluva Celebration!

Killer.....

Sorce

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I like it just the way it is, excellent tree.
Got my ABS journal last week, congrats on your article, very well-done.

 

[Dan W.]

Thanks Brian! I'm just kidding about the "drop-branch." Seeing as Dave's red pine thread is back up at the moment... lol.

Djtommy, yes it will be an interesting re-pot. I'm getting help from someone who's done plenty of this type of potting with Ryan Neil over the past several years. I'm not quite convinced it will go in a pot the first time around, but who knows... I may just be surprised. I have a couple of pots ready in case it will, and a transition box is always an easy "safe" option.

 

[barrosinc]

amazing tree!
I wonder, how do you get that in a pot with the root system going up in the box?

 

[Dan W.]

I'll take pictures when it happens. Roots aren't much different than branches... They can be bent and twisted. You can even split them before bending if they are to thick to bend at first. I think I could do it, but I feel more comfortable to have someone with more experience helping.

 

[Cadillactaste]

SWEET! Wish I could see this in person...verses a 2D picture. Lovely...thanks for sharing!

 

[Dan W.]

Thanks Darlene. If you're ever in Wyoming, stop by. Otherwise, I'm sure it will be in a show someday.

Barrosinc, this is a much smaller tree, but the soil will be mounded up on mine very similar to how this tree is potted. http://crataegus.com/portfolio/dsc_0907-2/

 

[Dav4]

I have to say, I wasn't expecting that styling after looking at the before pics...very well done! what sort of a pot are you envisioning for this one?

 

[Dan W.]

I have a couple of options so far, but I'm leaning toward a type of semi cascade pot at the moment. A crescent is certainly an option, but I'll try out the pot with soil mounded first.

 

[Dav4]

I have a couple of options so far, but I'm leaning toward a type of semi cascade pot at the moment. A crescent is certainly an option, but I'll try out the pot with soil mounded first.

I was going to say crescent, mainly because of the orientation of the roots. Honestly, I think it will look better in a more traditional pot, like a semi-cascade. I guess you'll need to see what the roots will allow. Good luck!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

As ambivalent as I am on crescents, it was the first container that came to mind when I saw the styled tree. Though it would probably look good in a rusty folgers can.

 

[yenling83]

Love how unique this tree is! Can you imagine how long this tree would be if you stretched the whole thing out? Such a great tree! How was collecting and getting this guy back to the truck? Was it challenging to tie to the pack and keep from hitting on other things?

 

[Dan W.]

I agree Brian! I'd be happy no matter what it was growing in. I'll post pic's of the pot I hope to put it in soon.

Jeremiah, I need to measure it! -- I wish I knew on the collecting part. I wasn't with Steve when he collected it. More than likely he just carried it back to the truck with his hands though.

I did help him collect this one's twin. It's the twisty ponderosa for sale on our site. PP_SD1 -- https://backcountrybonsai.wordpress.com/ponderosa/
It was growing about 10' away.