Sometimes I work on nursery trees, sometimes I work on client’s trees……and sometimes if I’ve been a really good boy I get to work on my own trees. Hopefully these regular visits will give you an insight into what goes on behind closed doors……….
Studio Stories – The story of Yorkshire Privet…..Part Three
Part one of this series was published on the 20th March and part two on the 6th of April 2015 under the section Studio Stories.
February 2011 and the tree is repotted going back into the same pot. The compost used is three parts akadama to one part bims(a river gravel).
For the next four years the tree was encouraged to grow with selective pruning and occasional wiring helping to shape and refine the tree’s image. Sometimes the pruning could be quite drastic if branches were simply not right.
February 2015 and it’s time to smarten the tree up ready for spring. All the old leaves are removed. The tree is given a meticulous pruning, refining twigs and removing unwanted branches. Some improvements are made to the deadwood accompanying the hollow trunk.
Four years since the last repotting so it’s that time again! No wonder water is struggling to get through when you look at the density of the rootball.
I’ve been working on this tree a long time……15 years if you read the full story. But when you look at the original picture this tree has come a long, long way. For the first time I now feel that I could exhibit the tree in it’s winter image and he could hold is head high.
I just hope I’m here with him for the next 15 years to see how good he really can become………….this story will continue!!!