Several of My Trees
Below are pic's of a few of my trees. These were taken in the late summer of '95 - my second attempt at presentable photos. These are a bit better than the last batch but I still can't get the depth or detail that I would like. I guess the next batch will be even better - yes - I, at least, try to be an optimist. This was my first time using a photo-CD rather than scanned photos and I'm still trying to figure out how to get the best renderings from the .PCD files.
As I find time, I will be adding a few more icons (made from these new photos) to the icon collection - so, if you're interested, keep an eye peeled for additions.
You might also be interested in The Bonsai Styling & Advice Corner - where I have put photos of a few trees that exhibit typical styling problems - along with advice from online contributors.
I've also added an indexed search facility that can be used to find all kinds of advice and articles and stuff related to bonsai.
ooba ooba,
Horace
Who better than we to be wired? ;-7)
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Bald Cypress - Ht: 31''
Y'rs Training: 8 - (8/95)
My grand-mother had a huge old bald cypress in the dead middle of her back yard - it was easily 10 feet wide at the base. I thought a bald cypress bonsai would help keep alive memories of the hours I spent "out back" - witness ... it does {;-). Today, I have several cypress in my little collection but this guy is the one. The trunk on this tree is quite nice.
It started as a weak number-2 in a pair - my first try with bald cypress. I killed the number-1 tree by cutting a high root and, rather than trashing this guy, I just left it sitting in a bird-bath, pretty much unattended except for occasional pruning. It's one of my favorites now. I guess it just goes to show that almost anything will develop if you have patience and let nature do her thing. This guy just underwent major pruning and wiring this spring, so this is its first after-prune growth. Also, I moved it from its original bonsai pot late last summer. This pot is a mica but I guess it will do until I find just the right home for its next decade {;-)
Brazilian Rain Tree - Ht: 26''
Y'rs Training: 4+ - (8/95)
Another favorite is this Brazilian Rain Tree. I got this guy in '92 from Minitex Gardens in Houston. It was well on its way when I got it, so I can only claim maintanence - not the original form. I realy like the shape which is a bit different from many Rain Tree bonsai. The main trunk and major leader are developing that characteristic rain tree warp. I have it planted on a rock but I haven't uncovered it yet. Its biggest flaw is the lack of a root on the right or right-front. I'm going to try a suggestion that was offered - make a cut where I want the root, pack with root-tone, and bury. If this doesn't work, I'll probably try grafting and burying a small branch.
This picture really doesn't do justice - looks like a flat-top - I really need to figure out how to get better depth to show.
Kingsville Box - Ht: 12''
Y'rs Training: 7+
- (8/95)
The first book I ever saw on bonsai had a picture of a Kingsville Box that was great! Being from New Orleans, I am comfortable with large old oaks, and that picture sparked memories (here I go with the memories again) of climbing those huge old trees in City-Park. This one came from The Bonsai Tree in Gainesville, Ga. (in '88, I think - nice filks!). It's in a really nice speckled-glaze chinese pot that my wife gave me one Christmass. It's a good'un.
Texas Scarlet Quince - Ht: 13''
Y'rs Training: 9 - (8/95)
My very first bonsai ... Yes - it started life as a small potted plant from Builder' Square ... What can I say - high sentimental value {;-).
Garden Juniper - - Ht: 23''
Y'rs Training: 5+
- (8/95)
My folks love to snarf around nurseries and one year, on a visit, they found this guy in the almost kindling pile at one of the smaller nurseries in town. Since then, it's lived on as a wan'abe cascade. It's had a particularly hard life, unfortunately. The squirles just love to jump up and grab the cascade - which invariably makes it fall from its shelf. Twice I've lost branches that I was using to form a crown - I'm (we're) working on number three now. Oh well ... it may never be a great bonsai - but it'll make a nice icon {;-).
Chinese Elm Group - Ht: 20''
Y'rs Training: 7 - (8/95)
Just a small group of Chinese Elms. This also was damaged by a falling tree (of all things {;-( which broke-off two of the original trees. The small trunked tree in the back-right is growth from one of the stumps but it leaves me with a 4-tree planting {;-(
Bald Cypress - Ht: 23''
Y'rs Training: 5+
- (8/95)
Just another Bald Cypress. I tried a bit of carving on this one and it's not too bad. After loosing a tree when I cut a "high" root, I left these entact. The effect seems acceptable but I've been a bit dissapointed that the trunk hasn't butressed better.
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Modified - Sun Aug 05 16:05:49 CDT 2001 -
8186990 - hav@hav.com