Double trunk Japanese Boxwood in Live Oak Style?

onlyrey

Hi,

Recently purchased this double trunk Japanese boxwood in a 7 gallon nursery pot. Out of the five of this size that they had here, I saw more potential on this one.

I've seen some posts in this forum about the live oak style and training boxwoods in this style. This tree's specific growth habit seems to lend itself well for this style.

I am posting pictures of what I call the front and the back, and a low resolution picture of a page of the book Outstanding American Bonsai (highly recommend for just looking at some excellent masterpieces).

I'll let the pictures tell the story.

Questions are:
1. Should I get rid of the double trunk?
2. Is the live oak style fine for this tree?
3. Should I just plant it and let it grow and wait some 40 years?
4. Styling suggestions
5. Which should be the front?

Pictures:
34889 Front total
34890 Front nebari
34891 Back nebari
34892 Back total
34893 Book page with kingsville boxwood live oak style by Ivan Watters

Attached Images

	boxwood_live_oak_front_total.jpg (71.8 KB, 139 views)
	boxwood_live_oak_front_roots.jpg (67.6 KB, 147 views)
	boxwood_live_oak_back_roots.jpg (41.0 KB, 105 views)
	boxwood_live_oak_back_total.jpg (63.8 KB, 204 views)
	outstanding_american_bonsai_boxwood_live_oak_style.jpg (58.7 KB, 211 views)

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DavidN

onlyrey,
I'm surprised no one has responded to you about this tree. I have no experience with boxwood but I do like what I see here in the potential of this tree. This trees appears to backbud on old wood which is going to be the most important aspect of this tree when you come to styling it. Hopefully someone with experience with this species can give you more information about how well this species backbuds.

I like the twin trunk and I like you idea for the live oak style. The problem I see is that the current branches do nothing for the tree. All foliage seems to be on the ends of the branches and I feel the thickness of some of the branches overpowers the trunk. That is why you need to find out how well this tree back buds. If it backbuds strongly on old wood and also is a good healer of wounds then I would basically remove all the branches and leave the two trunk lines. Decide what your trunks lines are and then remove all branches. You could also consider jinning the branches that you will be removing rather than waiting for them to heal. Lots of potential and ideas with this tree.

Good luck.
David

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Bonsai Northwest Inc, Melbourne, Australia

Bonsai Flora Nursery in Yarraville, Melbourne

onlyrey

David,

I went into the chatroom last night and got a lot of good advice, specially from Grampz. He is very knowledgeable about boxwoods and specially in the live oak style.

He gave me some homework and told me to come back.

This is the advice:

• Cut the lower and crossing branches (see picture): This will give the box a more tree like appearance as opposed to a bush
• Leave both trunks
• Take out of nursery pot
• Bare root: Needed because Boxwoods have root nematode problems in Southern states with weather similar to Florida.
• Put in a grow box
• Will work on the guy wires afterwards
• Come back to him with updated picture and work from there

David, Thanks for the kind words, G, thanks for the advice

Attached Images

boxwood_live_oak_remove_trouble_branches.jpg (72.2 KB, 109 views)

Craig Cowing

Very good advice. In addition, work on the foliage. Boxwoods grow like maples with opposite buds. Find the lowest junction of branches and cut out what's in the middle. That will begin the process of developing ramification.

Craig Cowing

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I'm not finished yet, neither are my trees.

Bonsaifreak

This is my boxwood. I wonder if this resembles what you are looking for...

http://pictures.bonsaitalk.com/show...&sort=1&cat=500

Jorge

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"Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more."
Mark Twain

IdahoBonsai

BF, that is more a twin trunk broom style. For oak style, the branching starts very low and spreads very wide. I have some pics and will try to find and post them.

__________________
Steven

South Central Idaho

onlyrey

Hi, just an update on the boxwood oak style wannabe I'm messing with.

Attached Images

boxwood_oakstyle_wannabe_July2006.jpg (58.2 KB, 69 views)