Why yes! Mine is bigger than Adair's!

[markyscott]

So it's about time I pulled it out to show you. My olive, that is.
@Adair M

These are great trees to work with. I purchased this from Sam Adina in California in January of 2016. Here's a picture of the tree the first time I saw it in Sam's yard.


It's essentially, a monstrous burl and ugly as sin. I loved it the first time I saw it. And it has the added advantage of being bigger, more ruggedly handsome and just all-around better than Adair's olive.

Scott

 

[markyscott]

These trees are part of an old orchard in the Sacramento Valley - I think that the European Olives were first planted there about 100-150 years ago. The orchard was chopped down to make way for development and Sam's olives were cut from the stumps of these old olives - resurrected to live another day! They're essentially cuttings on collection.

Scott

 

[markyscott]

Eventually, this tree made it over to Boon's and lived in his garden for about 6 months.



Sometime during that period, SOMEONE tried to graft a juniper scion onto it. Didn't work - probably that individual needs help with their grafting skills.

Scott

 

[markyscott]

Paul Kellum and I repotted the tree in January of this year. We put it in a very large pot, drilled some extra holes and secured it tightly into the pot with heavy gauge wire. The tree was prepped for transport!!



Scott

 

[markyscott]

Later that month, the tree went on a LONG trip in the back of a friends trailer on his California road trip.



Thanks Pete!

Scott

 

[markyscott]

Turns out it likes Houston weather better than I do - it grew like a weed! Just heavy fertilizing and good soil.



In March I hired Danny Coffey to do a bit of carving - he did a great job on the deadwood. It's aging very nicely.

Scott

 

[markyscott]

Good strong growth means the tree is ready for some work. Today was the first styling - you know the drill - remove the old leaves on extending shoots, prune downward growth, remove unnecessary branches and wire for branch structure.


Wild-shaped material like this is a challenge to style, but I think it's got a good start on it's resurrection as bonsai.



Scott

 

[PiñonJ]

That is an ugly-ass tree! You gonna hollow out the stump?

 

[markyscott]

That is an ugly-ass tree! You gonna hollow out the stump?

It's hard to tell from these photo's, but there are hollow cavities running all through it. I'm sure the deadwood will evolve more as the styling comes into shape.

Scott

 

[PiñonJ]

I was just wondering about the area where it looks like a flat cut. Cool tree!

 

[Adair M]

So it's about time I pulled it out to show you. My olive, that is.
@Adair M

These are great trees to work with. I purchased this from Sam Adina in California in January of 2016. Here's a picture of the tree the first time I saw it in Sam's yard.
View attachment 154923

It's essentially, a monstrous burl and ugly as sin. I loved it the first time I saw it. And it has the added advantage of being bigger, more ruggedly handsome and just all-around better than Adair's olive.

Scott

It's not the height that's important, it's the girth!

 

[Adair M]

Good strong growth means the tree is ready for some work. Today was the first styling - you know the drill - remove the old leaves on extending shoots, prune downward growth, remove unnecessary branches and wire for branch structure.
View attachment 154937 View attachment 154938

Wild-shaped material like this is a challenge to style, but I think it's got a good start on it's resurrection as bonsai.

View attachment 154936

Scott

Boon's garden looks a whole lot better now that thing is gone! Lol!

Too bad the grafts didn't take. Would have been an improvement!

 

[sorce]

Sorce

 

[markyscott]

I was just wondering about the area where it looks like a flat cut. Cool tree!

Hi PinonJ. The flat cut is what Danny worked on when he was here. I'll try and get a picture of it tomorrow, but it's going to take some more work over time.

S

 

[Cadillactaste]

VERY GNARLY! LOVE IT! Looks prehistoric to a degree...can't imagine lifting it. But very cool...and vey thought out to this point on the direction you have taken with it, from Boon's to its long trip,having one carve it...no so fourth. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Dav4]

Boon's garden looks a whole lot better now that thing is gone! Lol!

Too bad the grafts didn't take. Would have been an improvement!

I'm betting Scott's back yard looks better, too. Fantastic trunk!

 

[Dav4]

Do you work these like deciduous trees, wiring out new growth, then cutting back to stimulate backbudding?

 

[markyscott]

Do you work these like deciduous trees, wiring out new growth, then cutting back to stimulate backbudding?

Yes Dav4 - exactly the same process I've described for deciduous trees. I work all broadleaf trees whether evergreen or deciduous exactly the same. As long as they're healthy, you can work them right after the spring push has hardened off.

Scott

 

[just.wing.it]

Wow, this is some interesting stumpy material!
Very cool

 

[GrimLore]

It's hard to tell from these photo's, but there are hollow cavities running all through it.

Quite the find with a good history. Old and rugged - nice! I can see at least one spot carved right through. Would love to see this one defoliated down the road for certain. How does that back brace work out for you? I have the same collecting dust as it "seems" it would be to restrictive.

Grimmy