Chinese Privet - Collected 2010

Here's a privet I collected last year. All of the branching was grown in a single year. The top needs to fill out some more. Main trunk is 2.5" in diameter, and height is 16". The pot is a vintage Tokoname tray. Comments welcome.

Zach

Hi Zach.

The tall tree seems to a have a bright future, but something looks wrong with the little tree. Is it a single tree? If it is and if it were mine I'll probably shorten the trunk of the small tree and grow a new trunk ,that way I could make it more interesting. It is too straight right now and seems to be more of a liability on the total design composition.

regards,
jun

Brace yourself for the deadwood to rot, no matter what you do. I like working with Ligustrum sinensis, but if there is a big chop scar or a lot of other deadwood, the design tends to become a moving target.

JimLewis wrote:Brace yourself for the deadwood to rot, no matter what you do. I like working with Ligustrum sinensis, but if there is a big chop scar or a lot of other deadwood, the design tends to become a moving target.

Oh, I know about the dead wood, Jim. Been growing privet for over 20 years. I treat with lime sulfur once or twice a year, which seems to help.

Zach

jun wrote:Hi Zach.

The tall tree seems to a have a bright future, but something looks wrong with the little tree. Is it a single tree? If it is and if it were mine I'll probably shorten the trunk of the small tree and grow a new trunk ,that way I could make it more interesting. It is too straight right now and seems to be more of a liability on the total design composition.

regards,
jun

Thanks, Jun. The smaller tree is a single tree, and isn't ramrod straight. I actually think it reflects the slight movement in the larger tree well. I'll see how it progresses over the next couple of years. I can always whack it down the road if need be.

Zach