Syringa - Unknown Variety Literati Style

I found this Lilac 4 years ago at a tree farm. At the time it had 2 main branches on it when I brought it home. The second branch was under the current branch on the tree. When I removed it from the car it had been torn when it was loaded into the car. I went ahead and finished ripping it off the tree by hand. It was allowed to grow and the next year I wired the only branch left as shown on the tree. It was left alone for a couple of years. It did sprout other limbs and they were all removed this year. This lilac has very small leaves maybe around 1 1/2" and very small flowers for a lilac. It was wired last year and potted this spring. I hope you like it. Comments are welcome.




Mike

Good start. I say "start" because if it were mine, I'd try to make the upper bend narrower -- much like this Celtis I used to have:

Yup. Me too.

Nice work so far, Lost (insert your real name here).

Great potential. I agree with Jim -- some creative bending will turn this in a dynamite tree.

Thank you for the replies. I am not sure I can make that type of bend on this tree. There is a weak spot on the outside of the trunk just after where the wire starts. The trunk had a small spit right there and I would say abut 15% of the trunk width split off and died. It was probably around 1" long. I cut that off the tree and so there is a little dead section right in that area. I could see doing what your all suggesting and bringing it in more.

Mike

Nice work Mike!

Here is an updated photo of the tree in June. I am hoping it will bloom next year. A squirrel was doing some design work on the trunk, it now has deadwood on the trunk above the soil. Its filling in nicely, I cut the terminal leaders off back in August which is why I am hoping it will bloom next spring.



Mike

Bend it here -- and sharply. Don't need to do it all at once.

Here is an updated photo of my tree, taken yesterday. I have made a new page on my website for the this tree HERE. Lots more information on Lilacs for Bonsai HERE.

I am currently working on a very large French Silk and another large Common dark purple. The French Silk is coming along nicely, the Common Purple had a major set back, it was full of Lilac borers, which killed a lot of the tree. Lots of deadwood now on it!!