We need some ugly tree pix to ridicule.

[Soup Dragon]

Here are a few photos of an ugly azalea that has been in the same pot and totally, completely neglected for the past 15 years.

Every year I think “I should do something with this or throw it in the compost pile” and get here it is, in all it’s crappy glory

It could provide an afternoon of fun with a Dremel. I'm sure it would be much more interesting if carved to hollow out the trunk.

 

[BobbyLane]

who would buy such a mess, it would require large cuts that would never heal

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Ooooh - finally something that I can participate in as a contender . But which of my horrors to choose?

How about this bouganvillea? It is downright ugly with two trunks, but I don't know which is the ugliest between the two in order to eliminate one.

View attachment 338620 View attachment 338621

If there were an ugly pot thread I would be all over that one too. It was cheap, and I am using it as a training pot, OK?

Actually I "kinda" like this one.
I would use this image as my "front", and work to develop movement right to left.

I would keep the amount of foliage in the "upright" trunk, trimmed tight, don't let it gain much height. Encourage the left reaching branch to extend, by quite a bit. This will be the main trunk of the tree. Let it expand, reach out. You want the left branch to at least double in length. Keep the upper branch about the same height. If it back buds in that bare section, keep the backbud and develop it into a branch.

At least that would be my plan for the next 1 to 3 years. Then re-evaluate. I would also consider complete removal of the upright branch. The lower branch can be kept as a slanting style or windswept or "leaning out for light over a riverbank" style. Or it can become a semi cascade. Eventually I would move it to a sightly deeper round pot. The glaze color is okay, it contrasts without clashing with the flowers.

 

[AlainK]

it would require large cuts that would never heel

Well, I must admit that you've done an excellent job on this one...



PS : just listening to the radio while typing, it's the French radio, in Frrrench, but one word suddenly came to my mind, a French word : concession.

OK Bobbystreet, you are sometimes right -argh !

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

More of them every day. These trees are like silly putty. Push and the branch bends. (OK, push with force, like, knees)

I got myself a bunch of these from the dollar store. They don't look like it, but they're made out of friggin steel! Quick release too, for when you hear it crack.
Elbow and knee grease are fun, until you stab yourself with some jins.

 

[Soup Dragon]

Actually I "kinda" like this one.
I would use this image as my "front", and work to develop movement right to left.



I would keep the amount of foliage in the "upright" trunk, trimmed tight, don't let it gain much height. Encourage the left reaching branch to extend, by quite a bit. This will be the main trunk of the tree. Let it expand, reach out. You want the left branch to at least double in length. Keep the upper branch about the same height. If it back buds in that bare section, keep the backbud and develop it into a branch.

At least that would be my plan for the next 1 to 3 years. Then re-evaluate. I would also consider complete removal of the upright branch. The lower branch can be kept as a slanting style or windswept or "leaning out for light over a riverbank" style. Or it can become a semi cascade. Eventually I would move it to a sightly deeper round pot. The glaze color is okay, it contrasts without clashing with the flowers.

Thanks for the tips. I do see some potential in the windswept / leaning out style, although I know it will never be a beauty. I'll grow it out as you suggest, and check back in here in a year or two .

 

[JudyB]

I can play, here is a J. Maple, that previously had 3 trunks. I have spent the past couple years cutting thru the two looser trunks to get down to this single. The tree never worked for me as a tri but as a single, the base is nice and large. Lots of branch work to do now. Going to create a hollow at the chop site, it may wind up in back, but a hollow is something I could see on this tree, as the tree is relatively creepy in its shape. Ideas welcome! Image 2 or 4 will likely be the front.

 

[leatherback]

I got myself a bunch of these from the dollar store. They don't look like it, but they're made out of friggin steel! Quick release too, for when you hear it crack.

Which dollar store would that be?

A friend of mine made me one like this, which I admit is nicer then knees. But to get the bend started, knees work

 

[Paulpash]

Larch before I tried to make it look a little less like a sow's ear....

 

[Carol 83]

Actually I "kinda" like this one.

Me too.

 

[brentwood]

This thing. Like that red and black guy from the horrible Star Wars movies...

 

[Bonsai Nut]

@Cadillactaste,
In my opinion , your tree has nice curves, it looks like some literati , its nebari gives it originality , i love it !

Here is a real challenger for this topic .
View attachment 338642

That is an ugly tree! I'm not sure I have one that can beat it!

 

[BonjourBonsai]

Upright, cascade, who knows?

 

[just.wing.it]

*-*-*-See all my threads-*-*-*

 

[Forsoothe!]

Larch before I tried to make it look a little less like View attachment 338757a sow's ear....

View attachment 338758

I think an Englishman will win. There won't be any 'Tator famine in Jolly ol' England...

 

[Eckhoffw]

I got myself a bunch of these from the dollar store. They don't look like it, but they're made out of friggin steel! Quick release too, for when you hear it crack.
Elbow and knee grease are fun, until you stab yourself with some jins.

Bessy clamps at the dollar store?!!!
nice clamps. Nice find.

 

[Eckhoffw]

I have this pots of Euonymus cuttings. Had to relocate a few plants this fall. These things are crazy with their numerous ground layerings, roots every where. We will see if this junk yard can become something pleasant.

 

[Paulpash]

I think an Englishman will win. There won't be any 'Tator famine in Jolly ol' England...

At last I win a prize! Here it is as of yesterday still aspiring to be a 7 inch tator...

 

[jaco94]

That is an ugly tree! I'm not sure I have one that can beat it!

Yes that's right, I trust my champion he can win the title and you haven't seen the rest of my collection yet ...

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Which dollar store would that be?

A friend of mine made me one like this, which I admit is nicer then knees. But to get the bend started, knees work

View attachment 338734

In my case that dollar store was actually called 'Dollar store' but I reckon Action or some hardware stores would sell those too.
Ever since I bought mine, I keep seeing them in random places like markets and thrift shops.

I do like the crescent clamps on yours! I think I need more friends who are into metal work.