Summer's work on Tigerbark

I tried unsuccessfully to post this in the Progressions Forum....sorry this will necessitate it being moved.  I began work on this tree back in May of this year. I removed the top half of the tree and did some initial wiring.  Now to let it continue to grow out.  Tom[url=https://servimg.com/view/13474602/358][/url

The tree currently.

TOM,, That is a nice looking tree !! question ,, why did you chop so much ?? don,t you have some large scars ?? but I KNOW you have a plan.. take care john

Thank you, John....I chose this approach because of the low primary branches on the tree, and also the movement of the lower trunk. The major scarring is positioned to the back of the tree. I want to keep the tree about this height (approximately 11 inches). Long term I plan to let the apex grow wild, then cut back, repeat, etc. to develop better taper. Hope this helps.

Tom

Hi Tom. Nice work so far. Just out of interest, in your climate how long approximately will it take to progress your plans as outlined in your post above?

Good day/evening Fiona:

Thank you for the kind words. I am thinking in the neighborhood of about five years or so. In my climate I need to overwinter my tropicals in an unheated garage under fluorescent fixtures (from approximately the end of September through the end of May.) The remainder of the year they are sited outside in full sun with my other trees. Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Tom

The tree in the midst of its second growing season since initial styling....current height is 11 inches from the soil line.

Maybe it is an illusion based on the way the photo was taken but that for the lack of a better term "chunky" central branch is really distracting to the eye and takes away from this tree. It looks like a ginseng ficus sitting on top of this tree. Is there an opportunity to remove it down to the next smaller branch? It would leave a large wound however, which is an issue with ficus.

I wonder if a better front might be turning the tree about 1/8 turn to the left; might hide that fat branch a bit???

I decided on a change of styling for this tree.

In MHO I would just tilt slightly the tree to the right so that apex aligns on top of the base of tree (informal upright style); then I would cut back any branches close to main trunk if they cannot be bent down and start them over again. The main trunk is there it has nice movement and taper so do not waste it but cutting it back so drastically.

Nooo... Why did you do that!? I loved the initial tree.
You should have sold it to me instead of this tdrastic change!

You have made a surprising and very interesting change to the Tiger. Please share your vision a year and a couple of years out.

I will keep you posted....I appreciate everyone's input....I thought a lot before I made thi drastic change.....initially I was pleased and still am but we will see what develops in a few years out..

Updated photograph....

Tom thanks for the update. This is now different enough that envisioning what it will look like in a couple of years is difficult. Not sure how I feel, BUT sure do appreciate your posting and please continue to keep us up to date.

Sure, Doug...no problem and you are welcome.... Tom

I like it Tom. I can totally see it's future.

I like vanilla but sometimes Burgundy Cherry is the ice cream that satisfies. If it were mine, I would let the top run something fierce to aid in closing the wound (it can close, it'll just take a very long time) and to thicken the apex into the trunk more.

Ballsy change. I applaud you for that. It's your tree, do with it what you want and I'm glad you did

Thanks for the kind words, Sam....I appreciate it. And your plan for the top of the tree is what mine is as well....no matter though, the wound will still not cover over in this life for me....I am rounding the turn towards 70.

Best regards,
Tom

Check out the book of Cheng Cheng Kung's Bonsai Shari Sidiao if you have a member that has it. It's tough to order so if someone near you has it, I HIGHLY recommend reading it and studying his progressions of photos.

Dorothy has revealed a technique that he covers in his book of using an "eye" shaped wound with the points going from bottom to top roughly following a sap line. I don't know how long it would take for a wound to heal on these guys but I have some monster wounds healed on mine and I think it's only 30-40 years old MAX. May even be younger. I can share picture if you'd like.

Thanks, Sam....I would very much like to see photos....I know of the book but it might be hard to come by a copy....Many thanks, friend.

Tom

Updated photograph....

After a change in planting angle and some additional wiring.

glad you are sharing this one tom... and i like what you have done.

i have a tiger bark that i am unsatisfied with and have been making plans for an equally drastic change.

right now the tree is thriving in my garden window, but i reckon i should still wait for spring for the trunk chop...
unless someone has a solid opinion to the contrary... ?

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I really like  your new design.  Have you thought about slightly  raising and making the first branch  into an apex?  
Regards
Hank