How big is "too big"?

BrianBay9

I think I found my personal definitiion of "too big"...This redwood has a 14 inch base. The trunk, half way up, has a 5 inch diameter. If you look closely on the right you can see my glasses for scale. It was rootbound, in a pot that was too narrow, so I repotted today. I spread the roots out, and potted into a small garden pond liner (with drilled drainage holes, of course).

Problem is, I can't lift the tree, and I don't have a nifty block and tackle set up like MikeP. So this was a process of laying the tree on one side, working on the rootball, then rolling it, continuing....I lifted it onto a concrete block, then two stacked blocks, to get it near the height of the container lip before the final lift into the container. My back believes I have exceeded my limit on tree size.

Brian

Attached Images

big-redwood-Nov-05.jpg (57.5 KB, 178 views)

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TreeBay

1 meter (about 39 inches) is where bonsai pretty much top out in Japan. It's rare to see trees much larger than this on display. Why is this? I think it's because at that height the scale of the tree becomes more analogous to the scale of the person, and the illusory element of bonsai disappears. It stops being a representation of a tree and starts being a tree.

Of course there are practical considerations as you've pointed out. But even trees well under the 39" arbitrary limit can require 2-4 people to manage them - or as they say, "Three men and a boy."

Of course if there is good reason for a tree to be a couple inches taller, why not? I bought a Foemina juniper down in Southern California at Yamaguchi's nursery in Los Angeles. this tree was whacked, and it was obvious that it was for transportation considerations. I'm still in the 15 year plan towards growing it a new top.

One thing I find disturbing though at many of the shows in the US, the larger trees are all poking up 5-6 inches above the backdrops, which I find disconcerting. (to say nothing for the fact that they don't photograph worth beans either)

Regards,

Matt

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taipan(deceased)

From "Bonsai Its Art, Science, History and Philosophy.
By Deborah Koreshoff

"Many authorities consider it to be 120cm or 48" but this is not accepted by all growers. Some say there is no upper limit provided the tree and its container are designed together as a bonsai. Incidentally, some of the Japanese Emporer's Bonsai are over 180 cm (6 feet) in height."


I've heard of trees being described as "one man"- "Six man" trees in Asia.

Happy Growing Big Trees guys!
Tai

zen

Well ya know Brian if it gets too much for your back to handle, you have my address.LOL. What a beautifull tree y amight think of keeping your eyes out for an old golf bag with rolling metal frame cart or just the cart part or perhaps an old set of handtrucks or furniture trolley,you could tie this beast to make it at least a bit more portable.

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Vonsgardens

Brian,
I'll bet it's less than 100lbs (5 stone or so for our UK friends). And it's not even in a ceramic pot. Get to the gym, and once that is doen, I have the phone number of a bonsai practitioner and chiropractor....... John

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BrianBay9

LOL John....I'll have to weigh it and let you know. I'm betting 150 lbs...

Brian

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mike_p

Brian, a block and tackle and a hydraulic lift cart cost a lot less than back surgery.

Mike

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