CONTEST: grampz's entry

Originally Posted by Contest Rules

Include the following information, if known:
· The tree
· species and common name
· Tree approximate age
· Purchase price
· Unstyled height

Originally Posted by grampz

My contest entry is a ‘phoenix graft’ [tanuki] in the ‘live oak’ style, inspired by the wonderful photos from TreeBeard of the ‘pollard oaks’ of Europe, and a very old Southern Live Oak near Fredericksburg, Texas that has a hollow trunk and is still struggling to survive even though about three quarters dead…although I have been working with the ‘live oak’ style for a number of years, this is the first ‘phoenix graft’ I have ever attempted…I had so much pleasure working with this tree, I assure you it will not be my last…I made some mistakes, and learned a lot…The next attempt will be much easier…

My finished tree is 11 ½ inches from the pot rim to apex, although the soil line is now 2 ¾ inches lower than it was in the nursery can…From past experience with the yaupon I know the color of the bark that originally was below the soil will change color and better match the rest of the trunk bark in about 6 months…The canopy width from the front is 16 inches, and at the widest point [left front to right rear] is 19 inches…It has already began to sprout new growth at the ends of the branches I pruned, and I really look forward to pinching and shaping the canopy as it fills in…I had in mind to put this tree in a ‘round rivet pot’ of about this same cream color, but found the one I had was a bit too small...Perhaps next repot, although I am not unhappy with this pot…