Tribute to Mike Page

bonsaial1

In a thread back in the fall, I had posted a picture of the large, triple trunked pyracantha that I have been working on. Mike had suggested that the right, or third trunk be taken off. I reviewed that in my head and thought that to be apretty good idea. I think I even suggested to have him come down and he could run the chain saw.

Well I decided that I could whack the heck out of this stinking thing in nothing flat and save Mike the trip. First picture is a before. I started by doing a little carving on the stubs. Carving holes in them and dressing the edges to give them more texture. Some were just stripped of bark.

Attached Images

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	DSCF0089.JPG (42.1 KB, 78 views)
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bonsaial1

This photo shows where the third trunk will be severed. I will leave a stub for carving. I feel that the carved stub will add a little texture to this rather dull side if the trunk. Since the branching starts rather high here, this stub will break that area up. I got the saw stuck in the branch while sawing. The wood is very dense. Reddish and very hard. I would find out later that when carving and burning the wood that it stinks to high heaven.

Carving took about an hour. I did not do that much, just add texture and will just let nature finish the job over the next decade. I did burn off the fuzz from carving and was very happy with the results. The new carving tool I am using does not seem to show a "man look", and seems much more natural than I am used to.

Attached Images

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	DSCF0091.JPG (47.9 KB, 53 views)
	DSCF0092.JPG (43.2 KB, 49 views)
	DSCF0093.JPG (48.1 KB, 59 views)

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bonsaial1

When I was satisfied with all the carving, I decided it was time to repot. All the pyracantha's that I have been working on from the urban dig have been severly root pruned. All of them had been actually taken to the point of being a cutting. I was very surprised at taking the tree out of the pot and finding the amount of roots this monster had grown. AKADAMA!

Since this tree has a very decided Chinese Penjing feel, I placed the tree in a very formal Chinese style Penjing pot.

Thanks Mike for seeing this improvement, I like the feel of the tree and will resume the present course the tree is on for the future. I will keep the foliage on a rather loose styling and try to keep it as natural as possible.

Improved?

AJK

Attached Images

	DSCF0094.JPG (70.4 KB, 57 views)
	pyracanthapotted.jpg (28.6 KB, 130 views)

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mike_p

Looking good, Al! Looking very good!! Keep us posted on the future development of this bonsai.

Mike

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BonsaiGreenhorn

Very nice end product. Looks very good. I like the new pot and the tree looks great!

-evan

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