Paulpash
Masterpiece
I asked for an ID of this tree a while back and people (inc Corin from Greenwoods) were a little unsure as to what it was. It had all the characteristics of a prunus of some sort and I am now pretty convinced (by the spines developing) and leaf shape that this is a Blackthorn (prunus spinosa). It was a foundling on the side of a path my wife and I were walking on. The hedges next to the path had been smashed back by some sort of mechanical chopper - it had been cut up pretty bad and some partially uprooted. This stump had been completely dug up and thrown by the side of a stile. I took a gamble and decided to bring it home to train as a bonsai. I'm not sure if Blackthorn grows in the States but I still welcome comments from all members as well as the more experienced: @Brian Van Fleet, @Bananaman and of course @Walter Pall to hopefully confirm this is a blackthorn 
This is how it looked initially - I used the reciprocating saw to chop off some heavy roots and find the best line
2018-07-26_09-19-07 by Paul Pashley, on Flickr
Next season I did some rough carving on the chop points that will be refined over time
IMG_20180726_161109 by Paul Pashley, on Flickr
IMG_20180726_161116 by Paul Pashley, on Flickr
It has a really nice base to say how violently it must have been ripped from the ground
IMG_20180726_161102 by Paul Pashley, on Flickr
It's about the same size base as a chopstick (yes i was too lazy to go get a tape measure from the garage)
IMG_20180726_161020 by Paul Pashley, on Flickr
The first year or 2 was just letting the primaries thicken up so this year has been the first season where I've wired and begun branch building. It grows very quickly - the lowest primary was only started this year (budded from the trunk) so this is it today after a second hedge prune. It has very nice movement and taper so it's just up to me to get it's branch structure sorted. The bark is attractive too and flaking off in places.
IMG_20180726_161008 by Paul Pashley, on Flickr
This is how it looked initially - I used the reciprocating saw to chop off some heavy roots and find the best line
2018-07-26_09-19-07 by Paul Pashley, on FlickrNext season I did some rough carving on the chop points that will be refined over time
IMG_20180726_161109 by Paul Pashley, on FlickrIMG_20180726_161116 by Paul Pashley, on FlickrIt has a really nice base to say how violently it must have been ripped from the ground
IMG_20180726_161102 by Paul Pashley, on FlickrIt's about the same size base as a chopstick (yes i was too lazy to go get a tape measure from the garage)
IMG_20180726_161020 by Paul Pashley, on FlickrThe first year or 2 was just letting the primaries thicken up so this year has been the first season where I've wired and begun branch building. It grows very quickly - the lowest primary was only started this year (budded from the trunk) so this is it today after a second hedge prune. It has very nice movement and taper so it's just up to me to get it's branch structure sorted. The bark is attractive too and flaking off in places.
IMG_20180726_161008 by Paul Pashley, on Flickr
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However, I still think it's an attractive tree with great bark, I like the foliage and purple twigs. If it flowers it'll be a bonus. Here's a few photos since I last posted, slowly building the branch structure and apex.
