I'm going to go north, up around Priest Lake. I don't know the CDA forest at all.
American Larch
- Thread starter Atom#28
- Start date
I'm going to go north, up around Priest Lake. I don't know the CDA forest at all.
Atom#28
Chumono
Spring is here! I have a plan to airlayer the top off of this tree. However, it was only collected late last year. Although I'm anxious to start the layering, my gut tells me to let the tree grow and develop for a season first.
Larch experts: airlayer this year, or wait till spring 2021? @M. Frary ?
Larch experts: airlayer this year, or wait till spring 2021? @M. Frary ?
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
2021, or 2023 would be the smart move.
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
I've never tried to layer one.
But after the foliage has extended all of the way is when I would try.
Atom#28
Chumono
I did a thing.
I still plan to AL the top portion off. It might make an interesting tree (or two) on its own. Anyways, I got lots of practice wiring! I left a lot of branches exxxxtra long because I really need to be focusing on root growth this season.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
front (main tree)
back (made a little cascade type thingy out of the big bulb up top)
from underneath.
Concept. Phase One, pre chop
I still plan to AL the top portion off. It might make an interesting tree (or two) on its own. Anyways, I got lots of practice wiring! I left a lot of branches exxxxtra long because I really need to be focusing on root growth this season.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
front (main tree)
back (made a little cascade type thingy out of the big bulb up top)
from underneath.
Concept. Phase One, pre chop
Atom#28
Chumono
I know its a mess, but critiques are helpful!
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
If it was my tree I would layer it off mid-way between the first branch on the left and the next mess right above it. Then you would have two potentially messed up trees to work on. Remember some of the best bonsai are made from really messed up raw material.
Cosmos
Shohin
I think that clump up top would indeed make an amazing small shohin. Not many multi-trunk tamaracks around.
Atom#28
Chumono
yes, sir, that’s the plan!
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
Do it soon. Please share the experience, they don't take long. you should be able to seperate by July.
Atom#28
Chumono
Thank you, I truly appreciate your guidance! My concern is that this tree was only collected from the mountains in fall of last year. I was planning to allow a full season of growth before any big chops, to ensure the roots are well-established. Am I being overly cautious?
Atom#28
Chumono
Agreed. For now, since the tree is still recovering from collection, I think im gonna let everything grow for a season.
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
Two points: One; there will only be two apexes in that there will now be two trees instead of one. Two; when the tree was harvested is a critical piece of information that should have been pointed out earlier. Give it at least another year before making the air layer
Atom#28
Chumono
Respectfully, this entire thread chronicles the timeline of this tree, from harvest through today!
GreatLakesBrad
Chumono
Looking forward to seeing air layering in 2021. Cool material.
barrosinc
Masterpiece
do these layer easy? I don't really see to much with that bulge if it were on its own. I think it looks cool now, it just needs a bit of carving some day.
Atom#28
Chumono
RIP. Into the burn pile. I feel like such an asshole for doing so much to this awesome tree in such a short amount of time. I was warned. I am feeling very humble and ashamed. I suppose this is the hard lesson that we all learn, one way or another. He's deader than dead, but damn.... tamarack make a very nice firewood, at least 
I will learn from this mistake, and do better!
I will learn from this mistake, and do better!
