This is a snapshot of my bonsai tree in June. This one is arborvitae, a cedar.
Normally grown as an ornamental hedge, I've been slowly thickening up the main branches, and trimming out the interior branches so it has a better semblance of a true tree form.
It's quickly filling out new needles since the recent trimming in June.
Historical Information
ID: 0001
Nickname: Ozma
Type: #Arborvitae
Age: 7 or 8 years
Grown: #yamadori (A sprouted cutting from the root where it was growing as a sucker weed)
Last repotting: November 9, 2018
Last wired: July 31, 2019
Past articles featuring this tree:
- Red Bark on Bonsai Tree: Arborvitae trims down for a Summer tan
- Bonsai Maintenance: Getting Down Into the Roots
- Thinning a Shrub to resemble a Tree
- Emerald Queen, Saphire Sorceress, and a romantic gesture from Aphrodite.
In the full sun, the redness of the bark is more visible in contrast to the green needles.
Plans
Looking at the tree with fresh eyes, I think about how I will choose to enhance the style of this tree.
The tree bottom branches, I am considering removing two of them, and leaving only the largest on of the left. I think it looks best situated on the outer bend at the base of the trunk.
Up above, I am really enjoying the swoop of the central branch. A back branch behind it is nearly fully concealed by the rightward branch. I think I might be removing that concealed branch, as it is already far too thick, so high up on the tree.
Pruning there is bound to leave a big scar. Big branch cuts flush to the trunk tend to become thick knots. This might look unnatural and only greater highlight my forced operation. Perhaps leaving a portion of a deadwood stump there would be ideal, to allow for a more natural dieback.
Deadwood branches can be a valuable story-telling element on a tree. It can remind us of the history of the tree's progression, and how it might have developed differently. And it also serves to show how the tree has adapted to transform younger portions into the new leading branch and trunk shapes.
Photos in this post are all #originalworks by @creativetruth, unless stated otherwise.
Find me on discord and chat with other tree growers, bonsai enthusiasts, and gardeners.
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This is my way of thanking each of you for your friendship and support. By sharing my talents on Hive, I can also share to help with your needs.
Let my success also grant you some happiness too.
