(Too) large hawthorn

Washington hawthorn -- weeping and shaggy. 28 inches off the pot rim. Too big for me, these days.



Comments welcomed.

Can you air layer the top into a shohin?

Why?

Hi Jim, This is a bit of a departure from your usual parade of inspiring shohin and mame. Nice work on a tree that is pretty much staunchly upright in growth habit and quite dangerous to work with, too!

Thanks, Mr. K. You are right, it doesn't really "want" to weep. Wire, rack-and-pinion, and being suitably drawn and quartered (we DO torture our trees, right?) have taught it how to behave. And the spines do allow it to get even -- sorta -- until fall, when I snip them all.

You said it was too big for you. Making a shohin out of the top would make it...smaller. Plus, from the looks of it, the top seems to have a lot of movement and character.

Not saying this would be the best option. Just something I thought of to consider. More knowledgable folks may offer something better. I've only been studying bonsai for 7 years and the first 3 were spent killing trees.

Thanks.

I would say cut him down to size. Or I'll give you my address and you can put him on the bus and send him north.

Hi Jim, yes I agree with Steve the movement at the top of the tree is too good to waste, at the moment the trunk is to straight and it will also be a constant battle to keep this in a weeping style, hawthorns are very vigorous once established. Just my humble opinion.

Ian.