TOD for Thursday, June 16, 2005

TreeBay

Here's a new TOD submission:

Weeping Silver Birch (I think that's Betula pendula)

You can use the pencil tool under the thumbnail to make notes.

Attached Images

TOD16JUN2005.jpg (72.9 KB, 616 views)

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weeijk

The strong parts of the tree:

- general view
- potential
- pot/tree size
- nebari
- nice withish effect on the trunk

The weak parts:

- wiring
- drastic cut back of the top and some branches, leaving probably big scars
- bending of some of the branches isn't similar to the rest.


Overall I think that it could be a nice tree in the future, its a difficult one cause dieback of branches occurs without a reason, therefore its a very difficult tree IMO.
Nice to see an unfinished tree here in TOD.


Wessel

Attached Images

TOD16JUN2005.jpg (71.9 KB, 90 views)

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kenoath

nice potential---reckon the weeping leader is much too long--perhaps a weeper should have a wider rounder crown with more similar sized 'twigs 'or small branches--hope that explains what I mean

Arnie

Heres my view on this Silver Birch.

I'm assuming the initial aim is to achieve the look of a Parkland style Silver Birch common here in the UK (not sure about across the pond)

I find the planting angle and taper the biggest issues with this material. I would drop the apex down to the next main branch, wire this up and allow free growth until a better taper for the apex is achieved (although I don't think this will ever be very good). Change the angle to show the movement of the trunk better, if its possible to get anymore movement out of the trunk by wiring I would go for this also.

The tree also needs more branches and ramification which is quiet easy to achieve as Birch bud like crazy. loosely wire new shoots that are wanted for the design when green into the fountain, weeping look. I haven't done this too well in my virtual as I dont have time!!

Pot - maybe an oval with a large expanse of moss to achieve a grass look.

Good to see TOD back on.

Arnie

Attached Images

attachmentf.jpg (59.3 KB, 159 views)

John Dixon

Arnie,

I like your virtual. I believe that would be very complimentary to the amterial. I was dabbling with a virtual, so I'll post it, But I think I prefer yours.

John

Attached Images

1118927497_image.jpg (18.0 KB, 68 views)

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John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

Will_Heath

I feel the bunjin pot is wrong for this tree, although my pot choice in this virt is not the best, it reflects why I feel this way.


Will

Attached Images

idea.JPG (61.8 KB, 62 views)

mkonig

Having had a bit of a play with some birch trees myself, here is my thoughts.

I like the base and the movement in the lower part of this tree and the mature white bark gives a nice perception of age.
I dont have much of a roblem with the taper as the natural growth of Birches is that of a slender tree and does not show the strong butressing as you would see in a Beech or Oak.

Looking at the basic branch structure, I do not believe that this particular tree would grow in the weeping style without wiring and although it is not impossible, it will be a constant effort to maintain the weeping branches.

That may also be the reason for the irregular bends in the branches.
The main problems I can see:
1. the branch crossing in front of the trunk
2. The apex "feels" wrong and not in sync with the rest of the tree. (I think this is because all of the main branches seem to emminate from the left hand side of the tree and the apex falls to the right)
3. ramification needs to be improved

Improvements:
Reduce the apex to the next lower branch on the left
Remove or reposition the crossing branch
Leaf cut in June (only if growing strongly, Healthy tree, and all other disclaimers of that ilk!!!!) to force ramification
Encourage and nurture any growth on the right side of the tree to achive a more ballanced image
Change the pot to an oval (maybe 2.5 times the width of the current pot and not too shallow as Birches do not like to dry out)

In summary
Definetly worth persevering with and I would really love to know if this tree is naturally a weeping Birch.

Regards

Mike

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Attila

There is a funamental flaw with the growth pattern of this tree.

Does anyone see what is it?

(btw, this flaw is the main reason why the tree "doesn't feel right")

mkonig

I would hazard a guess that there is a pronounced twisting movement going on at the base of the tree that stops apruptly and continues dead straight. I have also noticed that the branching seems to eminate almost exclusively from the left of the tree.

Close

Mike

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