Australian Brush Cherry

TBlake84

Hey guys.

Yesterday I picked up an australian brush cherry for 75 bucks. It is by far the most money I have spent on a tree to date and I am determined to create a great specimen out of this tree. The reason it was a little more expensive is because it is about 8 years old and already styled in the broom fashion. To preface, I have never thought this style to be very realistic looking - unless they are maintained, trees simply don't grow like that in the wild.

I have always enjoyed the satsuki azalea in either literati or semi-cascade styles but my current living arrangements prohibit the proper care of such a tree, therefore I bought the cherry so I can enjoy a flowering tree in a year round indoor environment. My question for you is is the literati or semi-cascade style appropriate for a brush cherry tree? Have you ever seen it done? Info on the internet is very limited on this species. Thanks a bunch and apologies for the long intro.

__________________
Cycas revoluta
Acer buerguerianum
Acer saccharum
Acer palmatum atropurpureum
Ficus neriifolia
Eugenia myrtifolia

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AndyWilson

Yes they do, dont know about the syzigum paniculatum but trees do grow into brooms in nature...

TBlake84

Andy, technically yes, you're right. There are some species that are naturally adapted to growing in the broom fashion but any non-ornamental specimen won't grow like this on its own. I think my idea of a natural looking tree is a bit thwarted by where I live too. Our trees here grow tall and skinny with foliage spread out along the length of the tree. I simply have never seen a broom style tree in the wild.

I have attached two images of the tree and I think you'll agree with me that the styling looks fake.

Attached Images

	_DSC7626.JPG (71.2 KB, 91 views)
	_DSC7627.JPG (63.1 KB, 26 views)

__________________
Cycas revoluta
Acer buerguerianum
Acer saccharum
Acer palmatum atropurpureum
Ficus neriifolia
Eugenia myrtifolia

AndyWilson

Yup you got me there, it does like somewhat like a pom pom. But it also looks to have loads of potential, what are you planning with it? The trunk looks too straight to mae a convincing cascade, how tall is it?

Here is a link to the other one i was thinking about, its in Hank Millers gallery http://pictures.bonsaitalk.com/show...&cat=500&page=3

Now, my teacher has some great examples of these all in training, but here they are kept outside all year round, and they bloom and fruit every year. Will try and get some photos for you.

TBlake84

Andy,

Thanks for your picture. I am definately in need of styling cues for this tree as I have no idea where to begin. I will look forward to the pictures of your teachers trees.

OysterOwl83 has a very nicely styled Cherry of the same variety (he even bought it at the same place). http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/attachm...achmentid=14313 . I am thinking something along these lines. The only problem is that the branches in this tree are very well ramified and I don't really have many stought limbs to work with. I am beginning to think I should just take this tree to a styling workshop. We'll have to see. In any case, I am removing the rock from the planting and would like a style where I can better take advantage of the HUGE pot its planted in. Any suggestions?

Edit : it's about 10 inches tall.

__________________
Cycas revoluta
Acer buerguerianum
Acer saccharum
Acer palmatum atropurpureum
Ficus neriifolia
Eugenia myrtifolia

AndyWilson

Yeah, if you feel experienced enough you can clean out some of the smaller branches and start working on the ramification of the others. It does have a cluttered look about it at the moment but that at least that gives you more options, the pot is far too large at the moment, and i believe it will eventually look good in a smaller pot. With that mass of foliage there must be enough option avaliable for you to go formal or informal upright, it will take a few years but then again thats what it is all about.

bridge

" My question for you is is the literati or semi-cascade style appropriate for a brush cherry tree? "


It may look "unnatural" to you but I think you have a nice piece of stock as it is. IMHO I would not try to force this one in a literati or semi-cascade direction. Keep it under control and let the trunk thicken for a while (sorry for the standard advice). I feel your pain as far as not knowing which direction to go, I have a lot of directionless trees! You gave yourself some good advice, save it for a workshop.

SiNguyen

[QUOTE=bridge]" My question for you is is the literati or semi-cascade style appropriate for a brush cherry tree? "


Hi everybody, Tblake, the answer is yes. I have seen the Australian Brush Cherries styled as literati and cascades. These things are indestructible, at least in my area of Southern California. Here are some of mine. The tall penjing/literati one here is 36 inches tall from the rim of the pot, and was a volunteer that popped up in my yard 6-7 years ago. I just let it grow wild for a few years and finally potted it in a cheap Chinese pot last year. The second tree is 23 in tall and was a topiary tree in my yard that refused to die despite being chopped to the ground. It popped back up 4-5 years ago, and I took pity on it and saved it as a bonsai. I am glad I saved it, because now it is one of my favorite. It is still in a training mica pot. I have one trained as a cascade too, but I don't have a picture for it yet.

Your tree is a perfectly cute little broom style. You must have really liked it in order to pay that much for it, so you should just enjoy it as it is. In a few years, when it got overgrown a little, may be you could restyle it as an informal upright. I agree with people here, don't try to force it as a cascade or literati. It is still too small and too young looking at this point. Good luck with it.
Si

Attached Images

	1.jpg (48.8 KB, 35 views)
	2.jpg (66.1 KB, 46 views)

zejer

How does it respond to root pruning? I just bought a very old cherry tree in a 7 gallon container and looking forward to get 3 plants out of it. I plan to air layer the top part.