Old Ligustrum

I would just like to share a few photos of my new privet which was a gift from my friend, John Ostranica. Looking at the photo, it appears as if there are two trees but they are actually the opposite sides of the same trunk. The middle of the trunk had rotted away and the tree had actually rooted into the mush that remained in its own rotten core. This old tree is a real survivor. Its roots were actually lifted out of the embankment in which it was growing when there was a flood, so when John and I went to collect it on Tuesday, there was no digging at all to be done - the tree was simply sat on top of the ground! That does not meen that there was no work to be done though - carrying the tree back to the van was not easy even between the two of us. Upon arriving back at John's we did some basic styling with a chainsaw.

The following day I spent a couple of hours bare rooting the tree and removing all of the rotten wood. This was exciting work as I had no idea what I would find. I was pleased to uncover a number of roots cascading over the trunk and feel that they make a nice focal point. I have also done a little carving on the deadwood but this needs refining in the future.



My son was impressed


Detail of deadwood


Detail of exposed roots


I would just like to say a big thank you to John. I am sure you'll be kicking yourself that you didn't keep it in a few years time! ;-)
Lee.

Great piece you've found there Lee. Would love to get my carving tools in amongst that beast. Well spotted.

Now that's quite the hunka, hunka, hunk of Privet love! Great find. Great penjing potential.
Please post its progress!
Best,
Todd

I thought you might be surprised when you removed the soil to expose the base of this tree . Atb ....Osky

Recovering nicely now...

That's stunning, Lee--nice to see it recovering so well. Thanks for sharing photos.

Looking very promising Lee.

I took this privet to my club last night and was surprised to find that almost everybody agreed on a potential front - one that I had never consisdered. Perhaps not too surprising though, as it does have the best nebari...



However I feel that the tree is too deep in the other direction to fit into a pot from this angle. Perhaps I would need to remove the small sub-tree on the left of what I had previously considered the front?

Suggestions?

A tree with lots of potential, Lee.

I agree that the tree is too deep at the moment to use the 'new' front. Whichever shape pot you choose, there will be a lot of empty space around the sides of the tree.
Whilst it seems a shame to break up such a wonderful image, I think removing the smaller trunk is the best option, and you'll then have 2 trees to work with!

As a big fan of Privet, I'll be keen to see the progression of this material.

Steve

We can do something good with this trunk, I like this kind of tree.

Thanks for the replies.

Although the roots of the two portions of trunk are linked together, I wonder whether they could be moved closer in together?

Hi folks.
I have managed to shimmy the two portions of trunk a little closer together and think I have decided on a front. It should fit into a round pot now, I think. Suggestions welcome.

I'm not so good at the whole virtual thing, but this the direction I am thinking of going...

I should point out that the mid section of the trunk has now died and so I have removed the bark and will do some more carving on it. I realise that privet is quite prone to rot, so looking for something to preserve the wood now. Suggestions/feedback?
Regards, Lee.

Hello Lee...I liked your original front better, honestly, although your chosen front is good, too, and you'll have a hard time finding a bad front with that material. I really enjoyed the massive hollow and the sort of wrecked, ravaged look that came with it. Just my opinion. Please keep us updated on the future of this tree!

Since collecting this tree, the right hand part of the trunk has gradually continued to die back. I have had a number carving sessions on the dead wood, but was never happy with it. In the end I decided that there was so much dead wood in that section that I took drastic action and removed it. Here is the tree today...

I really like this, much better than the larger previous image. This will be great in a few years.

Leo Schordje wrote:I really like this, much better than the larger previous image. This will be great in a few years.

Thanks Leo.

Lee Brindley wrote:

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Developing nicely. The kid and the tree!