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Old 2-May-2008   #7
FlyBri
Chopped Liver?
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Join Date: Jun-2004
Location: Hurstbridge
Country: DownUnda
USDA Zone: 9-10?
Posts: 1,557
Gday Aberael!

Nice stick - truly worthy of Nonsai (or a really well ventilated didgeridoo).

I'm not really sure what type of advice you're after here, so I'll just give you what springs to mind when looking at your bit of timber.

First, on the technical side:
  • Redgum is a very hardy timber, but it appears that your stick has at least some rot/insect damage in the hollows. Your first mission should be to remove every bit of damaged timber from that stick, and apply a preservative of some description. (It may require some time and experimentation, but try to find a preservative which will not discolour your wood or alter the surface sheen.)
  • While your stick displays good taper, you will still need to add an artificial base to help balance it in its pot (until such time as the tree's roots are strong enough to take over the support role). I chose to use 2-part epoxy resin for my most recent Tanuki attempt. While there are no pics of the process, I can tell you that the new base for my stick is a disc of resin about 20cm wide and 1-2cm deep. (The tree in that thread is long-gone, but that's another story.)
Now, on to the aesthetic side of things:
  • There is nothing I dislike more than Tanuki where the 'scion' tree is simply wrapped lazily about the 'stock' wood (actually, cascade-style trees which are propped up by stones or the edge of the pot annoy me more, but only just...). The best Tanuki are those where consideration has been given to the direction and feel of the deadwood. When choosing the route(s) for the live vein(s), try to follow the natural flow of the grain - in some places it may be necessary or desirable to exaggerate the curves and angles. I've done a few quick sketches to show where I'd place your live material.
  • I might be tempted to reduce the top portion of your stick to just below the point where the hollow ends - this will give it a more squat, robust appearance, and it may make carving choices easier at the top of your stump. Once again, try to be sympathetic to the existing wood when carving the top of your stick.

Sorry if I've repeated what others have said: I started my reply last night. I hope this helps to give you some direction with your very interesting bit of wood. Do you have a species in mind to add to this trunk?

Thanks and good luck.

Fly.
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