Ginkgophiles of the world unite!

[SeanS]

Hi, the best Chichi Ginkgos I have seen got a kind of broom style (wide base with many 'flame branches') mine is more like formal upright (ginkgo style with reverse taper /strange looking) ... Both are good but I think older trees loose that upper part of the trunk ... And yes the scar could be a problem but again the one in the Saitama bonsai museum loose that trunk all the way down to the ground.
Now the idea behind air layering is if I am to cut that part of the trunk I could well try to air layer before to see if I can save both parts.
Thank you for your reply.

Do you know what makes a chi-chi Gingko a chi-chi-chi ginkgo?

The chi-chis! The weird looking sacks that hang down from the trunk. Chichi translates to milk, or breasts. The sacks that hang from a chi-chi ginkgo resemble breasts.
You actually WANT the chi-chis, that’s what makes chi-chi ginkgos desirable. Air layering your tree to remove the inverse taper would actually reduce the value of the fantastic tree you currently have

 

[Cadillactaste]

Do you know what makes a chi-chi Gingko a chi-chi-chi ginkgo?

The chi-chis! The weird looking sacks that hang down from the trunk. Chichi translates to milk, or breasts. The sacks that hang from a chi-chi ginkgo resemble breasts.
You actually WANT the chi-chis, that’s what makes chi-chi ginkgos desirable. Air layering your tree to remove the inverse taper would actually reduce the value of the fantastic tree you currently have

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Yup! I think to many people can't get over some trees merits don't ride on traditional guidelines.

I'll say this... it surprised me. The poster isn't new to bonsai. Six years in as a member here ..and from an area where trees hold merit. Their deciduous yamadori can be absolutely stunning and way off spectrum guidelines of traditional.

I'll also say this. So get the tar and feathers. I think...its a misguided concept when ones can't get past inverse taper and I think it shows young in the hobby mindset to not get past it. Not all inverse taper is a deal breaker. I've seen some amazing specimen with it. When a tree stands on merit alone...in my eyes. Then it's unfounded ,misguided misconceptions that keep this hobby and material judged to harshly.

 

[Notsureaboutplantnames]

I am in love with the depth of character in the bark ... Noted in video.

Video of mine

Grown from a cutting by Scott Lee ...6 years as a cutting in ground,then potted in 2015. Aquired in 2017.
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I love this stand!

 

[Cadillactaste]

I love this stand!

Thank ya kindly. A Nod to one Adam Lavigne actually made. I too...liked the looks of it.

 

[vp999]

I’ll play … Here’s one I got about 2 months ago… gonna do some refinement in the spring.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I’ll play … Here’s one I got about 2 months ago… gonna do some refinement in the spring.

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Nice! congratulations that's a nice 'un.

See, that's a nice pot. I don't even mind it's color.

 

[nuttiest]

I'm always told by many... they could pull my trees from a lineup. Where many trees resemble each other. That...I find a high compliment.

True, lol sometimes I am shopping and say "hmm.. no. but Darlene could make that a tree..."

 

[vp999]

Nice! congratulations that's a nice 'un.

See, that's a nice pot. I don't even mind it's color.

Thank you ! I normally dont like green pots at all but I like this Koyo Oribe glaze for this tree.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Thank you ! I normally dont like green pots at all but I like this Koyo Oribe glaze for this tree.

I couldn't tell from my phone if it had a blue-ish tint or not. I absolutely love a green pot. that's why I liked it. I wasn't sure. Green or blue. I love it even more that it's green.

 

[Cadillactaste]

True, lol sometimes I am shopping and say "hmm.. no. but Darlene could make that a tree..."

Thank ya kindly. I have been told a time or two (many more) that I do ugly well.

 

[Driftwood]

Yup! I think to many people can't get over some trees merits don't ride on traditional guidelines.

I'll say this... it surprised me. The poster isn't new to bonsai. Six years in as a member here ..and from an area where trees hold merit. Their deciduous yamadori can be absolutely stunning and way off spectrum guidelines of traditional.

I'll also say this. So get the tar and feathers. I think...its a misguided concept when ones can't get past inverse taper and I think it shows young in the hobby mindset to not get past it. Not all inverse taper is a deal breaker. I've seen some amazing specimen with it. When a tree stands on merit alone...in my eyes. Then it's unfounded ,misguided misconceptions that keep this hobby and material judged to harshly.

I do recognise my tendency to follow others trees styles that I like ( in this case the oldest ginkgo tree in the world in China) my dilemma is not about the reverse taper but if the tree will be better without that trunk which is fine but not unique,I have seen as many with that trunk (similar structure) as without that trunk which make me wonder if the original intention was as a sacrifice branch which was never cut? I guess your point is that the trunk is old enough and character to appreciate as it is to what I do agree and unconsciously the reason I haven't cut it.

 

[Driftwood]

Do you know what makes a chi-chi Gingko a chi-chi-chi ginkgo?

The chi-chis! The weird looking sacks that hang down from the trunk. Chichi translates to milk, or breasts. The sacks that hang from a chi-chi ginkgo resemble breasts.
You actually WANT the chi-chis, that’s what makes chi-chi ginkgos desirable. Air layering your tree to remove the inverse taper would actually reduce the value of the fantastic tree you currently have

Nice pictures, interesting variety! Yeap I see didn't express my self well, the issue is not the reverse taper but if the tree will be better without that trunk.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I do recognise my tendency to follow others trees styles that I like ( in this case the oldest ginkgo tree in the world in China) my dilemma is not about the reverse taper but if the tree will be better without that trunk which is fine but not unique,I have seen as many with that trunk (similar structure) as without that trunk which make me wonder if the original intention was as a sacrifice branch which was never cut? I guess your point is that the trunk is old enough and character to appreciate as it is to what I do agree and unconsciously the reason I haven't cut it.

It adds age and character that only time brings. I clearly didn't see a sacrifice branch when viewing it at all.

The void found in the canopy once it's removed? Is it adding to the age or diminishing it? That is something one needs to decide. End of the day. I believe in respecting material...age and whatnot. To the point... if you aren't happy with it. Is it wiser to move it to another ones bench... who can appreciate ?

To find inspiration from another tree we all do. But...one also needs to listen to the wind ...what does the tree wants to be. If you listen it will tell you.

 

[Driftwood]

It adds age and character that only time brings. I clearly didn't see a sacrifice branch when viewing it at all.

The void found in the canopy once it's removed? Is it adding to the age or diminishing it? That is something one needs to decide. End of the day. I believe in respecting material...age and whatnot. To the point... if you aren't happy with it. Is it wiser to move it to another ones bench... who can appreciate ?

To find inspiration from another tree we all do. But...one also needs to listen to the wind ...what does the tree wants to be. If you listen it will tell you.

Yeap thank you

 

[SeanS]

Freshly repotted shohin ginkgos

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Summer update for these small ginkgos, after almost a week of constant rain. They’ve all had an initial trim this growing season, new buds are starting to grow.

 

[DogwoodApprentice]

From 20 Gallon Nursery pot and 8' tall June of 2023 to a plastic training pot in fall 2024. Likely will return the main trunk and two right side branches to stumps to increase movement and taper in Spring 2025. A second repot in 2026 will address a long lateral root coming out the back side.