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Studio Stories – Award winning Maple leaf pruned

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 – Award winning Maple leaf pruned

This Acer Palmatum was awarded a special prize by Mr Daizo Iwasaki at the 5th Ginkgo Bonsai Award held in Belgium in September 2005. Mr Iwasaki was particularly impressed with the tree’s outstanding nebari which almost covered the surface of it’s show pot.

I will probably present a more in depth post on the history of this tree at a later date. This is  more a topical post dealing with recent work carried out in the studio.

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The tree is regaining vigour in his growing pot and was allowed to leaf out and grow with very little branch pruning. The first pictures taken around the 24th June clearly show this very large bush which has emerged but they also show a strong healthy bonsai tree.

This condition enabled me to carry out an extensive leaf pruning of the tree, the first time for many years. As defoliation and shoot pruning progresses you get some idea of just how strong this tree was by the amount that is removed.

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The impressive nebari becomes visible once again, as does the branch ramification which supported the canopy.

IMG_0033The picture of the new emerging canopy was taken this evening, just over 4 weeks since the leaves were originally removed. Some larger leaves now need to be removed and the new shoot extensions will be pinched.

Picture 724The picture of the tree in his autumn colours and show pot was taken in October 2006…. it would be nice to see a similar result later this year.

Notice how the decision to defoliate was not made by me on a whim or for some other reason…. it was made by the tree……he showed me with his growth and his condition that this was the right step to take…..I merely performed the task on his behalf!…….Usually it is better and much safer for you to follow your trees rather than to try and force them down a path they may not wish to take.