Workshop Larches in Norfolk.

I was asked by 2 friends, if I'd carry out a workshop on their Larches. It's been 2 years sinse I last ran one. Drove to Peters,(the man who makes stands) and then drove to Norfolk, to meet up with Derek. First pic is Peter's Larch.

Did'nt get the customary Norfolk high six on arrival, just a straight forward handshake. Cup of coffee, tour around the garden,then time for business.Peter and Derek at work.l

There was a small ammount of carving to do to eliminate a bulge just above the base on the right. Tree fully wired and then placed. Peters finished Larch.

Derek's Larch. He collected this tree from Thetford Forrest, 40 years ago.

Incredible bark quality.

Plenty of raffia and wire for a change of angle

Derek's finished Larch.

Finally a better pot commisioned. Bryan Albright. Had a brilliant day and thoroughly enjoyed the company.

Second Larch is my favorite! Excellent done. First Larch is a good crown, tree bark but looks very young, for 40g. would be super!

Will Excellent Work, beautiful Trees. What I would give to spend a couple days with you. So much to learn, So much to do

Thanks for all the picks. I learn more from the progression pics than any written material..

Tom

Hi Will. Two great trees there, love the second.
Why have you wired them up now as opposed to back in early winter?
I have always wired and pruned up larch after needle drop with great success. Most wires are set by spring and bud burst, seems to me these trees will need unwiring again pretty soon once the growth gets going. And we know how they can bounce back up if not been held long enough!
Top Work though!
Regards Nick

Woww. Can't believe it's the same larch, Will. Love the 2nd transformation.
First one is very nice too. Didn't realise you were that good an artist.
I definitely need to cme see you with my yew.

Great work.

is that peter sanfords larch or ?

You really should post more of your work, Will. I don't think you realise just how good you are.

BTW, is it Larches, or Larchii?

Harleyrider wrote:You really should post more of your work, Will. I don't think you realise just how good you are.

BTW, is it Larches, or Larchii?

Larices, actually HR.

But you got the first bit of the post right. Gaun yersel, Will! (translation available on request)

Gotta agree with Harley there Will. Super job documenting your very very good work.

Neil

Wow they are great. I bet they were pleased at the end of the day.

Thankyou all for your comments.
Mario. I liked them both at the end of the day. 2 completely different styles and both trees were very different in feel too. The first felt really stiff and more brittle, the second was more like rubber.
Tom. I would like to work with as many people as possible. Maybe oneday?
Treevolution. The trees were left until now because there was some serious bending to do. I feel this is safer to do as close to spring as possible, so that healing can begin almost straight away.
Faisal. Would love to work on your Yew, especially the carving.
Harry. Yes it's Peter Sandfords, Larch.
Steve. I will try to post more of my work from now on.
Fiona. Translation please.
Neil. I've always been very poor at documenting my trees by photographing them. This forum has made me pull my socks up.
Smithy. I think they might have smiled more, if it had'nt been so bloody cold.

will baddeley wrote:Thankyou all for your comments.
Mario. I liked them both at the end of the day. 2 completely different styles and both trees were very different in feel too. The first felt really stiff and more brittle, the second was more like rubber.
Tom. I would like to work with as many people as possible. Maybe oneday?
Treevolution. The trees were left until now because there was some serious bending to do. I feel this is safer to do as close to spring as possible, so that healing can begin almost straight away.
Faisal. Would love to work on your Yew, especially the carving.
Harry. Yes it's Peter Sandfords, Larch.
Steve. I will try to post more of my work from now on.
Fiona. Translation please.
Neil. I've always been very poor at documenting my trees by photographing them. This forum has made me pull my socks up.
Smithy. I think they might have smiled more, if it had'nt been so bloody cold.

Will anytime your in the states, mine is the one shaped like a hand surrounded by water. Look me up you'd be more than welcome...

Both you and Neil D are on the list to visit....One day

Hi Will.

Very good work . Really interesting trees. The second tree is my very favorite.
But, if I might say, I think it is very aggressive Larch tree. The current trees will have little room inside. Branches will be renewed, pins fill all space. From the tree to become a green ball. I would have in that period just before spring to work more on the negative spaces. I think that this would increase the elegance of trees and cultivation increased potential for the future. I think that in all the branches leaving just zoom developments to improve the structure of the tree.
I'm sorry, I do not criticize the good work. It's more a question for the future cultivation.

Pavel

Hello Pavel. Maybe I should have explained the way I tend to work on trees. These two images are far from the final result. During a first and maybe second styling, I tend to use the majority of branches available and incorporate them in the design. The reason I do this is for future development and a more convincing mature image. Take the second Larch. All the branches have been styled in a similar way. Increased movement,(up, down and side to side) taper and a slight cascade to the branches but with a rise at the tips. Once the wire is removed and the tree stays in place, then i go through the tree and thin out or jin the branches I don't want. Having built structure and character into a branch for jin, makes the dead branch, much more convincing. Jin made on a first styling always look young and boring. Hope I have explained my reasons clearly and yes it will look a bit like a green ball for a little while but I have high hopes for both of them. Thanks for the compliment and the constructive criticism, I appreciate it all. Thats what this forum is all about.
Going to bed now, 8 hour shift during the day and then a 12 hour shift last night. I'm all probationed out.

Hi Will.

Thanks for the reply. Understand. Good luck.

Pavel

Thanks Will, in sharing this knowledge this thread is what makes this forum so good!

Grtz. Machiel.

Nice work Will on one of my favourite species

Alex