Crape myrtle from a cutting

[GroveKeeper]

This tree started as a large cutting taken from a tree in my front yard. It grows very aggressively but the leaves are to quite small. Originally, the area between the left trunk and two left trunks was a lump of solid wood. But with some carving , I was able to create the three trunks you see.

All of the branches have been grown from nothing. It was wired and repotted less than two months ago but even in December it has already outgrown the wire and rooted firmly into the colander

 

[PaulH]

I love the left trunk but the slingshot on the right bothers me. I'd consider removing one of the leaders.

 

[GroveKeeper]

I love the left trunk but the slingshot on the right bothers me. I'd consider removing one of the leaders.

That's why I like it lol.

Come February or march, I'll hard prune the tree and begin the process of putting movement and taper into the trunks.

All of the green you see on the tree is from the last 5-6 weeks, BTW

 

[sorce]

This is very interesting....

I like it a lot...
Tells a great story. It should Age nice...

I'm definitely watching this one!

Sorce

 

[Cypress187]

I love the left trunk but the slingshot on the right bothers me. I'd consider removing one of the leaders.

With leader you mean and entire branch/trunk including the 5-10 shoots? (so it will have 2 trunks?).

 

[michaelj]

That's why I like it lol.

Although they are common in nature, slingshot trunk splits are, for some reason, despised by most bonsaiists.

 

[GroveKeeper]

Although they are common in nature, slingshot trunk splits are, for some reason, despised by most bonsaiists.

It's really not even much of a slingshot trunk anyway. The middle trunk leans away significantly and has several bends in it. The movement doesn't translate very well in 2D.

In early spring, I will hard prune the branches and post pictures from several angles so you'll get a better idea of the shape.

With the heat we're having, I may just hard prune tomorrow or later this week.

 

[MattE]

well whether the "sling shot " is not text book stuff ect.. i think it looks cool and i think you will have one hell of a bonsai when this ages. i really enjoy the contrast between the colour of the bark and how vibrant those leafs are

 

[GroveKeeper]

well whether the "sling shot " is not text book stuff ect.. i think it looks cool and i think you will have one hell of a bonsai when this ages. i really enjoy the contrast between the colour of the bark and how vibrant those leafs are

Thanks. The bark is nice but it will be even better in a few years when it hits the peeling stage.