Post your WORST bonsai project

[Bonsai Nut]

As soon as I go outside I'll take a photo of my current "worst" tree - a cork oak that I can't get to bud back. I'd love to see other problem trees so that we can discuss possible solutions... Post your nastiest tree and let's vote - woodpile or diamond in the rough?

 

[Anonymous User]

This should be fun....


Welcome to my headache, an Eastern Red Cedar over the course of the last 18 months....

 

[Anonymous User]

After moving to a screen sided planter....

 

[Anonymous User]

And after some random styling.....


Firewood or possibilities?

 

[JTGJr25]

I bet this will get a vote for worst tree. I'm quite embarrassed about this. No questions please.



Tom

 

[subnet_rx]

I bet this will get a vote for worst tree. I'm quite embarrassed about this. No questions please.



Tom

That looks a lot like this one. http://www.schleysbonsai.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=573

 

[Vance Wood]

I bet this will get a vote for worst tree. I'm quite embarrassed about this. No questions please.



Tom

With the worst tree scenario a question should be asked when contemplating casting it out. Short of the wood pile can the tree be salvaged and redesigned into a good bonsai? I think yes. I would THINK ABOUT layering the tree off just above the first branch. The big fault with this tree is the straight section of the trunk. Cutting off at the point I suggested will give you the opportunity to style a smaller tree with a dramatic trunk that could be a good bonsai in about three years.

 

[Vance Wood]

And after some random styling.....


Firewood or possibilities?

Only a doodie headed elitist would consider this fire wood. It has great possibilities once the idiosyncrasies of the species are solved.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Here's my disappointment... I had trimmed this oak back prior to my plans for airlayering it. I was stunned to see absolutely NO back budding on any branches, with the exception of the very top apex area, and very low on the trunk. I even had new buds pop through the very thick corking at the base of the tree, but nothing in the middle.

At this point I am still planning on proceeding with air-layer plans, but I have to hope that I will get new growth somewhere on the trunk or I may lose the trunk when I separate the airlayer. The small branches are almost completely dead now - at least they show now signs of budding, though they are still somewhat flexible and have not dried out. I may try defoliating the tree completely to see what I get. The apex is so ridiculously strong right now I am not worried about losing the tree.

 

[JTGJr25]

With the worst tree scenario a question should be asked when contemplating casting it out. Short of the wood pile can the tree be salvaged and redesigned into a good bonsai? I think yes. I would THINK ABOUT layering the tree off just above the first branch. The big fault with this tree is the straight section of the trunk. Cutting off at the point I suggested will give you the opportunity to style a smaller tree with a dramatic trunk that could be a good bonsai in about three years.

Yes that is exactly what my plan is, although, I was going for cuttings instead of a layer. Another area of concern is the roots. I'm pretty sure they flat out suck but its tough to get a good idea on them with the soil its in which also needs addressing.

subnet_rx, you hit the nail on the head. Thats where I got this from. I thought I was getting a good piece of stock but instead I got this.

Tom