Azalea stumped.

Hello all, it's been quite a while since I have posted here, but I have a conundrum.
Last year in October, I noticed a neighbor of mine digging up her old landscape azaleas. I asked her if I could have one and she said yes. She left the stump on the sidewalk for me to pick up the next day. Knowing that it was the wrong time of year for collecting, I didn't have much hope for the mostly dead looking stump, but I put it in a large nursery container and basically forgot about it. This spring I noticed that it was sending out new growth so I built a grow box for it, and nursed it back to health.

Here is a picture of what it looks like today:



The photo does not convey the true size of this thing. It is huge, about 2 feet long, and it takes two people to move it.

My problem is this: I don't have the practical experience dealing with material like this. All of my other trees are smallish ones that I bought at the local nursery. While they bring me great joy, I am proud of them and have had several of them for many years, they are nowhere close to being "great bonsai".

I really want to make this azalea something special, because I see so much potential in it. What would you do with this tree if it were yours?

Thank you so much,
Bran

Hi Bran
Looks like a good lump but is there more under the earth? From what I can see from the photo I would work with just the right hand side, and I don't think you would have to do much just think of the flowers on top of that lovely trunk!!!!!

Regards Chris

Yes actually, there is much more under the earth. I have been slowly chipping it back over the course of the year. It is very hard packed clay and does not come off willingly. I am looking forward to seeing what it looks like underneath.
My vision for this tree is of two warriors battling. The branch that appears to connect the two halves like a bridge is in fact dead all the way through. I've toyed with the idea of carving it into a jin, to represent a sword. The trunk on the right would be thrusting, while the trunk on the left would be feinting. Perhaps this idea is too kitschy. I've also toyed with the idea of cutting the entire thing in half and making two seperate trees out of it, but I'm not sure if that could really be done without ruining the whole thing.

You have got to go for the two warriors I love the idea

Regards Chris