Ezo Wars - Ezo Spruce Forest construction and development

[Wulfskaar]

One thing that sucks about living here is that there are many species of trees that just don't work well with our dry seasons and warm winters.

I think your strategy of being patient is a good one. I look forward to future years of watching your forest develop.

 

[Yamabudoudanshi]

To add my 2 yen to the previous question. I keep Ezo Spruce in Tokyo and we have very got, very long summers. I find them to be vastly more resilient to heat than J. Larch despite the fact that they come from similar environments.

The big difference of course is that we have high humidity spring-fall, so if you could find a way to keep the humidity up through misting or other measures, you might be able to keep them happy.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Good to know!

Do you take any other measures to protect these trees, limit sun, moss etc?

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Yamabudoudanshi]

Good to know!

Do you take any other measures to protect these trees, limit sun, moss etc?

Cheers
DSD sends

I have one individual in a pot, and the rest of them are in a forest rock planting. I think rocks in general tend to stay cooler or at least take longer to heat up than pots. Additionally, because they are all mucked up in a shell of keto, they take a long time to dry out.

I do move them down into a slightly shadier spot for the hottest month of summer, which may or may not help.

I have noticed that my single ezo in a small pot seems to drop branches or twigs if it ever gets too dry, so my main take away is larger, cooler root masses might help.

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Good questions.

Don’t think it would be a good idea to try as Ezo Spruce in SoCal. These spruces are perhaps the most heat sensitive of all the spruces. Should be protected, misted during warmer temperatures…. even in the PacNW.

Not thinking about styling soon, it’s still young. I want the forest to mature a bit more, so minor bits of wire here and there combined with clip and grow. It just my inclination towards natural maturity vs style for at least the first 2-4 years. This lets trees strengthen and develop critical mass. It’s just a personal quirk I guess.

Likely begin thinking about a finding a container in another year or two. Maybe a board/slab or low rim tray? Also thinking about tearing apart and respacing down the line … but that’s just a thought for now.

Cheers
DSD sends

Very nice. What are the various pros and cons between slab vs. low container?

 

[baron]

Very nice. What are the various pros and cons between slab vs. low container?

I think the rootball on a slab will be bigger and it will most likely have keto and moss applied.
Trees in slab can be watered more frequently I find without the risk of overwatering. Maybe thats just a feeling.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Very nice. What are the various pros and cons between slab vs. low container?

So this is pretty general as there are plenty of different slabs and low sided containers. Also a number of styles, penning variations and bonsai, more formal layouts

Slabs are more of an aesthetic arrangement
. Tend to be a bit drier
. Give a sense of depth and openness
. May often have room for companion plants to enhance that above
. Require a build up as @baron mentioned that can give a variety of relief
. Also require a build up which can include variations of relief etc.

Low sided containers
. Have a definite side. Ending the composition abruptly
. Tend to be a tad moister.
. Many of the slab comments can apply, depending the artist, yet often tend to be more muted.

Here are a couple random images to illustrate.




Cheers
DSD sends

 

[alessandro.vannini]

Hi Deep sea diver,
I am following your thread on the exp spruce forest and I am about to start one myself.
Would it be possible to share somehow Saburo Kato’s book?
Greetings from Italy!

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Hi Alessandro, Welcome Aboard Bonsai Nut!

So sorry I did not see your post. I was overseas on holiday…

Would love to share yet there are those sticky copyright restrictions. However I think I can fairly share the notes Bill Valvamis gave to us at our club meeting a few years back. See attached file.

These notes coupled with the spacing diagrams etc I posted should give you a really good start!

Best to you and yours for the holidays!

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[alessandro.vannini]

Hi DSD,

thank you. I checked quickly but it seems to be a document about wintering Bonsai rather than group planting notes?

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

So sorry!

Hi DSD,

thank you. I checked quickly but it seems to be a document about wintering Bonsai rather than group planting notes?

Sorry!

Having issues with the file. I'll send it to you as a PM. Look for the envelope on top of the page. When it has a number the PM will be there.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[stewarjm192]

So sorry!

Sorry!

Having issues with the file. I'll send it to you as a PM. Look for the envelope on top of the page. When it has a number the PM will be there.

Cheers
DSD sends

Hey DSD, would you mind forwarding that set of notes my way as well? Been searching for the Kato book for eons

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Hey DSD, would you mind forwarding that set of notes my way as well? Been searching for the Kato book for eons

See my PM.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Coppersdad]

So sorry!

Sorry!

Having issues with the file. I'll send it to you as a PM. Look for the envelope on top of the page. When it has a number the PM will be there.

Cheers
DSD sends

Hi DSD, can I have a copy of that file too? Although I've just discovered this thread, it's certainly going to be helpful with the Metasequoia forest I'll begin in a couple of months. As I've told you previously, you have a talent for teaching. Thanks.