Eric Group
Masterpiece
Since most of the trees I have styled myself have turned out to be pretty damn ugly as I spent the last 10-15 years teaching myself how to do this, I generally don't go around this forum bragging about my gorgeous trees! With that in mind, I figured if I was gonna post a couple pics, it would have be with the understanding that I KNOW they are ugly or progressions showing the development from raw stock to where they are now/ will be in the future. I have posted the early stages of a couple Maples I am reworking recently- now it is time to own the damage.
My name is Eric, and I make UGLY trees!
This first one is a Japanese Black Pine I bought from Lowes about... 6 years ago probably. The picture was taken a year or two back, and after looking at it grow almost NONE, despite being in a fairly large container, and after consulting with a friend, it has been planted in a more suitable location- the GROUND! I am afraid this one might have been infected with a fungus, probably some kind of needle cast, and I have been treating with Copper fungicide. I may have to go stronger to really knock it out. He is still growing fine though, no dead needles, just some spots on them, and the candles are extending nicely... Maybe I can post an updated pic tomorrow of him sitting in the ground.
Future plans- it needs to be shortened. Can't decide if I want to pancake that upper bend and make it nasty sharp, or if I just need to whack it off... Regardless, I plan on making those decisions after the tree gets healthy (again, it is growing fine, no real ill effects except some off colored needles) if I want to bend it I will have to do it soon before it gets much thicker... Regardless f which way I go, I plan to find the strongest candle low on the tree and make a sacrifice to thicken the base.
Anybody have some thoughts on a re-style?
I do hope others will fess up and show me something ugly growing in your yard to make me feel better!
I DO own a few rather pretty trees now as well (mostly ones that were already pretty when I purchased them!), but they don't belong in the ugly tree thread!
My name is Eric, and I make UGLY trees!
This first one is a Japanese Black Pine I bought from Lowes about... 6 years ago probably. The picture was taken a year or two back, and after looking at it grow almost NONE, despite being in a fairly large container, and after consulting with a friend, it has been planted in a more suitable location- the GROUND! I am afraid this one might have been infected with a fungus, probably some kind of needle cast, and I have been treating with Copper fungicide. I may have to go stronger to really knock it out. He is still growing fine though, no dead needles, just some spots on them, and the candles are extending nicely... Maybe I can post an updated pic tomorrow of him sitting in the ground.
Future plans- it needs to be shortened. Can't decide if I want to pancake that upper bend and make it nasty sharp, or if I just need to whack it off... Regardless, I plan on making those decisions after the tree gets healthy (again, it is growing fine, no real ill effects except some off colored needles) if I want to bend it I will have to do it soon before it gets much thicker... Regardless f which way I go, I plan to find the strongest candle low on the tree and make a sacrifice to thicken the base.
Anybody have some thoughts on a re-style?
I do hope others will fess up and show me something ugly growing in your yard to make me feel better!
I DO own a few rather pretty trees now as well (mostly ones that were already pretty when I purchased them!), but they don't belong in the ugly tree thread!
is actually better looking in person, this tree is much uglier in person
.
...and that unlike my typical picture quality where the trees are actually better looking in person, this tree is actually uglier in person
