Ginkgo… big gingko

[Adamski77]

I recently acquired this ginkgo… it’s big but I love it. Probably 1m tall (3ft+) at the moment. I really like the straight trunk and no taper… just appeals to me… very powerful… though I understand many people would say it’s not good for bonsai. The more I think about it though the more I think it could have been little bit shorter… like 6-8 inches shorter trunk… so wanted to ask you folks:
1. how reliable is air/ground layering old ginkgo like this? Diameter of the trunk is ~5 inches and it does have mature bark… so how feasible is what I think about doing? And what is the risk level?
2. Assuming this would be feasible here is the other dilemma. Current nebari is actually quite nice… at least comparing to other gingkos I’ve seen (normally they tend to have heavy circular roots)… and that’s also probably why I think it’s looking great. So what are the chances of getting a better (or at least not worse) nebari?

Obviously with that type of operations there is one shot at it so want to get opinions before potentially starting doing anything. Appreciate all your wisdom and advises. Current photos attached.

 

[Shibui]

I've never layered an older ginkgo trunk so can't tell you first hand whether it's easy or not.
I can tell you that cuttings are very easy so layers are likely to also be reliable. Hopefully the age won't make too much difference.

While there's a chance the top may not make roots, the base will almost certainly survive. I've cut trunks down to stumps and they send up new shoots from trunk and from the roots. I've even managed to strike root cuttings last season so they are tough trees.

Hopefully someone else with experience layering will come along with experience but old ginkgo are not common so you could be the first to perform this operation.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I know your question was about layering, and I have not layered one so I can’t help there…but…

The tree looks like it has some real age at the base and trunk which only comes one way. If it was mine, I’d be inclined to work with it as a larger tree and grow it into a big old flame-style ginkgo that will light up your garden in the fall!

 

[Colorado]

I agree with Brian, it has some nice features to work with as it is.

Perhaps you could graft some branches down lower on the trunk?

Sweet ginkgo!

 

[Dav4]

I know your question was about layering, and I have not layered one so I can’t help there…but…

The tree looks like it has some real age at the base and trunk which only comes one way. If it was mine, I’d be inclined to work with it as a larger tree and grow it into a big old flame-style ginkgo that will light up your garden in the fall!

I agree and would love to have the opportunity to work with similar material here. Good luck with it.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Again ... like the others. I agree with Brian. To do anything less. I find it disrespectful of the tree. If you can't live with it as a larger tree. Move it on to one who can appreciate it. It's freaking cool the age it shows.

 

[Adamski77]

Thank you all… appreciate all answers… especially from such experienced members. It seems the consensus is to leave it as Mother Nature wanted it to be and work with it. That’s totally fine… I will love it to “flame my garden in fall”… it has a beautiful autumn color. And a lot of features too… maybe I could even expose this big scar as a feature… I’ll have a lot of winter time to think about it. If I build a canopy on the top would probably get to 1.5m high but that should just make it even more impressive.
@Brian Van Fleet … I see your idea… do you have some pictures that could help me with the vision?

 

[Cadillactaste]

Thank you all… appreciate all answers… especially from such experienced members. It seems the consensus is to leave it as Mother Nature wanted it to be and work with it. That’s totally fine… I will love it to “flame my garden in fall”… it has a beautiful autumn color. And a lot of features too… maybe I could even expose this big scar as a feature… I’ll have a lot of winter time to think about it. If I build a canopy on the top would probably get to 1.5m high but that should just make it even more impressive.
@Brian Van Fleet … I see your idea… do you have some pictures that could help me with the vision?

...expose it as a feature? By choosing it as a front yes. Absolutely... but don't alter it. You will remove the age to it.

I personally use a wood hardener on my deadwood on my deciduous. It's common practice to do so. Then it won't bleach it out.

I'm glad to hear...you will let it evolve in your garden.

Now...if you offer PH levels 6.5 -7... Ryan Neil did a podcast explaining that is what is needed to really produce branches. My own is a 7...and my ginkgo has developed nicely in a short time frame.

 

[BonsaiManic]

My own is a 7...and my ginkgo has developed nicely in a short time frame.

Yes, it has. You should post your most recent pic(s) as an example. I think one day I want to try this ancient species here in the desert; it seems tough enough.

@Adamski77, I'm a newbie myself, but from a naturalistic perspective? I wouldn't want to jeopardize the rugged grace of an aged foundation like this tree has.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Yes, it has. You should post your most recent pic(s) as an example. I think one day I want to try this ancient species here in the desert; it seems tough enough.

@Adamski77, I'm a newbie myself, but from a naturalistic perspective? I wouldn't want to jeopardize the rugged grace of an aged foundation like this tree has.

Thank ya kindly. I will drag it in soon for a current dormant image. But...this year's fall show.

Commissioned pot by Victor Harris of Erin Pottery.

 

[Adamski77]

...expose it as a feature? By choosing it as a front yes. Absolutely... but don't alter it. You will remove the age to it.

I personally use a wood hardener on my deadwood on my deciduous. It's common practice to do so. Then it won't bleach it out.

I'm glad to hear...you will let it evolve in your garden.

Now...if you offer PH levels 6.5 -7... Ryan Neil did a podcast explaining that is what is needed to really produce branches. My own is a 7...and my ginkgo has developed nicely in a short time frame.

Yes… I meant to have it visible when choosing the front… though have to say anyway I turn this tree something interesting comes up.
Thanks for the tip on pH… I’ll watch Ryan and see how to get this one done.
And btw. I’ve seen your ginkgo before and this is one of the reasons I wanted to have one… was looking for something smaller like yours and came back home with this

 

[Adamski77]

Yes, it has. You should post your most recent pic(s) as an example. I think one day I want to try this ancient species here in the desert; it seems tough enough.

@Adamski77, I'm a newbie myself, but from a naturalistic perspective? I wouldn't want to jeopardize the rugged grace of an aged foundation like this tree has.

Newbie or not… all of us have a sense of beauty… and I appreciate any advise…

 

[Adamski77]

...expose it as a feature? By choosing it as a front yes. Absolutely... but don't alter it. You will remove the age to it.

I personally use a wood hardener on my deadwood on my deciduous. It's common practice to do so. Then it won't bleach it out.

I'm glad to hear...you will let it evolve in your garden.

Now...if you offer PH levels 6.5 -7... Ryan Neil did a podcast explaining that is what is needed to really produce branches. My own is a 7...and my ginkgo has developed nicely in a short time frame.

sorry… one more… regarding deadwood… are you using lime sulfur or simple/regular wood hardener?

 

[Cadillactaste]

sorry… one more… regarding deadwood… are you using lime sulfur or simple/regular wood hardener?

Deciduous tree... even though a conifer technically. I would only use the wood hardener. As lime sulfur bleaches things really white. Which I don't think you would want. None of my UK circle uses it on deciduous. Only hardener.

That said... Harry Harrington...uses super glue on his dead wood for deciduous.

Ahhh how cool my tree inspired your purchased. Yours has an aged charm. Run with it. My own...is 21 inches tall. Quite manageable.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

If it was mine, I’d work with this front. I don’t mind the uro at the base, but don’t love the long scar at the top.

Here is a ginkgo that was owned by the Alabama Bonsai Society, pretty big and has a flame shape.

This is the link to mine, grown from seed for 25+ years. It’s a little squat compared to yours. With a few growing seasons, yours can develop some decent branching and without any wire, it should develop that flame look on its own.

Thread 'Ginkgo from seed'

Nov 2, 2013

In 1996 I collected 11 ginkgo fruits (incredibly foul-smelling), and seven of them grew; 4 are still living. This one has been in the ground in Iowa, chopped back annually for the last 14 years, and was dug this spring. My buddy brought it down this weekend, thought I'd share. It's about 18" tall, and developing some chi-chis that may become problematic for taper, or if they continue extending, can make for a powerful trunk.

Haven't decided what I'll do with it yet, but will enjoy turning it around for a while.

• Brian Van Fleet
• bvf ginkgo progression
• Replies: 249
• Forum: Other Deciduous

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[Cadillactaste]

It's in a round pot. I would like to see it ..so that right side is pointing more say...over your right shoulder. So turning the pot clockwise some.

 

[Gabler]

With all the branches at the top, it looks like it grew in a forest. Would it be outrageous to suggest a group planting?

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

I feel like it’s great as is. My main goal personally would be to get it into a shallower, wider pot, and otherwise just build out the flame. I’m thinking like a sky-blue-to-teal wide shallow-ish rectangle in the future. Think candle in a tray.

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

If the Nick lenz was twice as deep on FB auctions…

 

[FreshAirSunshine]

Behold the horror: