Laurus Nobilis 2009-2011

Hi!
I'd like to show the work I've been doing with this laurel tree since 2009.
I've adquired this tree in a nursery here in Portugal, but I wasn't sure that it could be made into a bonsai tree. I haven't seen many good laurel trees as bonsai and many other people I've spoken with only reported bad experiences with this species.
But since I loved the massive trunk and powerful nebari and the tree wasn't that much expensive (about $40), I thought that I should try it anyway.

I've been working with this tree since the beginning of my bonsai course with master Rui Ferreira and I think it will become one of my best trees. This first picture is from 2009, when it was bought at the nursery.



This second picture was after the first work done with the tree, 7 days after the purchase. There were some major cuts made, some work done on the nebari, and wires were applied to lower the main branches.



The next picture is of one year later. The tree responded very well, it grew very well and it was possible to make new cuts and to select new branches to use. The stump was cut and a branch was being grown to form the new top.



This last picture is from 15 days ago. The branch was cut and the tree was put into a trainning pot that is presently too big, but its useful for horticular purposes since the tree has to thicken some of the branches. It still has much to develop since there are to many branches, it needs refinement up in the branch structure and the final pot will be much smaller, but it has been really nice to work with this tree since it responds very well to the interventions made.

That's a good find for $40! I was just doing some searching and found a sweet bay "bonsai" listed on-line for $40. It's about 11" tall with a pencil-thick trunk. So you did pretty well here!

I like what you've done with this so far, very interesting and a species not too often seen in bonsai culture. I'm curious about the size/scale...how tall is it and what is the trunk size?

One benefit to this species - probably smells good when you work on it, right?

Chris

One benefit to this species - probably smells good when you work on it, right?

Chris[/quote]


I was thinking the same Chris

Good work Nunovsky!

I don't have the actual measures for its real size, but I believe it's height to be about 40cm and the trunk about 12 cm wide, with a nebari of 18 cm. These aren't the real measures but it won't be very far from that.

Chris and João, as for the other benefits of the species, not only it smells well when you work on it, but when you prunne it, you can use its leaves to do your cooking.

Nice to see you here, João! Maybe we'll meet by the end of the month at the portuguese Congress.
Cheers!

I will be there Nuno!

New pot!