A deadwood yew

This is a yew that was collected from my In law's front yard in upstate New York near Rochester.  Between the deer annually pruning it back each winter and my father in law cutting it back every 5 years or so over a 40 year period, the yew developed a thick trunk and some natural deadwood.  Here is the tree just after collection in April of 2008.

What's happened to it in the last 4 1/2 years?

The tree remained untouched for the following year.  During the summer of 2009, I started to work the deadwood.  I believe carpenter ants had begun the work on the deadwood below the soil line many years earlier and had done an admirable job up until it was collected.  Using mostly hand tools on the upper portions of the trunk, I tried to replicate what the ants had done.  It was tedious work, as yew wood is extremely hard.  Eventually, I opted to use power tools to remove some of the heavy branches and create some hollows, but most of what you see was done with jin pliers and hand carvers.  Here is the tree 2 years later after it was planted in a Dale Colchoy riveted drum.

Here is the tree in early 2012 after its first styling and more work on the deadwood.

Here is the tree in May, 2012.  The thickest upper branch in the canopy was bent back on itself to bring the foliage back in toward the deadwood trunk.

Unfortunately, the severe bending (possibly too late in the season here in GA  ), compromised most of the apex, and 6 weeks later, most of it was dead.  Luckily, many buds popped along the heavily bent branch, and I was able to rebuild the apex from them.  This image is from April 17, 2013.

This picture was taken just 10 days later...I love how quickly healthy yews pop and grow!

Here is the tree July 4, 2013, after a trim and a rain shower.  

Finally, here is the tree earlier this week.  I named it after my mother in law, Mavis  .

Awesome! Thanks for the update

dave that yew has turned out really nice. the tree and dale pot work together so great they both have such power that balance each other great job

Thanks guys. I purchased that pot with this tree in mind and was quite pleased match from the beginning. Unlike many of my other trees, I don't know if I'll ever want another pot for it  .

dave i'd be surprised if you can find a pot that works better perfect match

I think it's looking great too. A square or hexagonal pot keeps popping into my gin-soaked mind. I see something with corners... don't ask me why.

R

Russell Coker wrote:

I think it's looking great too. A square or hexagonal pot keeps popping into my gin-soaked mind.  I see something with corners... don't ask me why.

R

Well, it's not the gin ... .  I could see this one in a heavy, rustic square like this one from Sara Rayner....hmmmm.