The Hemlock (Tsuga) Discussion THREAD.

[River's Edge]

I plan to repot one of my hemlocks (the one mentioned above in this very thread). Despite my earlier damage to it, it is growing quite strongly, with a significantly greater number of buds than my other two hemlocks.

Here’s a picture from about a month ago.
View attachment 568301

I will repot this tree this spring. Considering this planned scope of work, should I consider wiring in the fall? These are some possible approaches I’m considering:
* detail wire only
* structural wire only
* guy wire two lower “trunks” only
* full wire

In all cases, I will use copper this time, as well as my vastly improved wiring experience and lean on my mentors, both of whom have advanced training in hemlocks.

Hemlock take multiple wiring sessions over several years to train and set in place. Typically the wire is replaced after removal for best results and fewer set backs.
Your first phrase in the above post is the most important! The next step depends on the expected amount of root work for this particular tree. If the tree has had considerable root work already accomplished and the root ball is established for life in a Bonsai pot then full wiring is in order. If not, the safest route is to complete the proper root work over the next two growing seasons and then begin heavy wiring that can be accomplished continuously during the design and refinement process for four or five years after that.
Can it be done differently, of course, however consider the advantage of creating refined growth while working with a refined root ball. Often the approach is to work the tree heavily first, then begin the root work. This often backfires, setting the tree back and lengthening the process. Particularly if the footwork is incorrectly staged. Hemlock rely on fine feeder roots near the surface and often this area needs to be removed and replaced over time to expose the best base and nebari for the design.
Many years ago I began a collected tree with Michael Hagedorn. The process was to rough style and wire the tree while still in the nursery pot and with primarily the collected soil and collected root ball intact. Allow the tree to recover and begin repotting the following year or two years later depending on the recovery.! The catch was that the repotting and subsequent root work was staged over several years while the tree was continuously wired and developed. If this is what is intended then I agree with the approach.
The key is your particular situation, how much root work is required, how much change in the planting angle, what is the existing amount of feeder roots. You have the advantage of mentors with training so they can help sort out the best practise in this particular situation. I prefer Michaels approach to styling in coordination with staged repotting and development of root ball and planting angle. For most trees with considerable potential I prefer to have the root ball established the nebari exposed and planting angle determined before wiring for design. The reason being is that Hemlock branches and pads take considerable extended wiring to set in place. Re working the design is not a quick process. So initially I would focus on initial design through branch selection and structural wiring or heavy bending if required in this particular case. The tree appears to be very much in the beginning of its journey.
Hope the comments make sense and are of assistance.

 

[pandacular]

The process was to rough style and wire the tree while still in the nursery pot and with primarily the collected soil and collected root ball intact. Allow the tree to recover and begin repotting the following year or two years later depending on the recovery.! The catch was that the repotting and subsequent root work was staged over several years while the tree was continuously wired and developed. If this is what is intended then I agree with the approach.

Thanks Frank, this is actually pretty much a snapshot of where the tree is at currently. After my first styling, it almost feels like it's starting to "bonsai itself" with much of the new growth building out nice pads. The main motivation for doing some wiring sooner than later would be to ensure even light penetration and setting some angles of branches, but I think that may be achievable through minimally invasive guy wiring (though Michael tells me that guy wiring takes at least 3 times as long to set as wrap wire.)

I'm not sure of the state of the roots. Another Anton collected hemlock I had repotted this spring had shockingly good roots--so much so that we decided to repot it much like one would an established rootball rather than a first yamadori repot. I haven't popped this tree out of the pot just yet, but may do so before making a further decision. A point that you allude to is that a styling might be "wasted" if I find another few inches of trunk under the soil that changes the angle or other aspects of the design radically, so that's another vote in favor of waiting.

Appreciate the thoughts, Frank!

 

[snowman04]

Thanks Frank, this is actually pretty much a snapshot of where the tree is at currently. After my first styling, it almost feels like it's starting to "bonsai itself" with much of the new growth building out nice pads. The main motivation for doing some wiring sooner than later would be to ensure even light penetration and setting some angles of branches, but I think that may be achievable through minimally invasive guy wiring (though Michael tells me that guy wiring takes at least 3 times as long to set as wrap wire.)

I'm not sure of the state of the roots. Another Anton collected hemlock I had repotted this spring had shockingly good roots--so much so that we decided to repot it much like one would an established rootball rather than a first yamadori repot. I haven't popped this tree out of the pot just yet, but may do so before making a further decision. A point that you allude to is that a styling might be "wasted" if I find another few inches of trunk under the soil that changes the angle or other aspects of the design radically, so that's another vote in favor of waiting.

Appreciate the thoughts, Frank!

I appreciate all your input as I have an Anton tree as well. It will get potted up first in the spring...

 

[pandacular]

Here are some photos of that other Anton tree. As purchased from @JEads:

The rest of the photos are from repotting day this past April. I had planned to do a top-down repot (see Tom Fincel’s talk at Farm to Table) but it honestly seemed like that or a similar technique was already done. From my notes, I mention that there was substantially more pumice near the top, mixed with potting soil, and the bottom was much more heavy field solid.

A few large structural roots were cut, but the feeder roots were largely untouched. Most of the root prep was just removing muddy soil and dead roots.

The tree is now in a cut down 10” nursery pot, about 5” tall. Overall, I couldn’t ask for a better first repot.

p.s.: @snowman04 , I’ll send you a PM with my notes on these two trees.

 

[NaoTK]

That’s going to be a killer tree once it’s wired. We could work it together, I was thinking about going up there in November.

Awesome! If you do come up we might as well find an even better tree for you

 

[mrfish33]

I feel like hemlock are flexible enough you can do a full wire and it will be ok to repot in spring. They get loaded with snow all winter? Maybe hold off on heavy raffia type bends?

My hemlock from above post after some branch clean up earlier in July. I cut back the straight section at the apex and trimmed long branches in closer to stop interior dieback. I'm planning to do a full wire this winter. @Ruddigger

View attachment 568326

That's an amazing tree.

 

[mrfish33]

Here are some photos of that other Anton tree. As purchased from @JEads:
View attachment 568399
The rest of the photos are from repotting day this past April. I had planned to do a top-down repot (see Tom Fincel’s talk at Farm to Table) but it honestly seemed like that or a similar technique was already done. From my notes, I mention that there was substantially more pumice near the top, mixed with potting soil, and the bottom was much more heavy field solid.

A few large structural roots were cut, but the feeder roots were largely untouched. Most of the root prep was just removing muddy soil and dead roots.

The tree is now in a cut down 10” nursery pot, about 5” tall. Overall, I couldn’t ask for a better first repot.

p.s.: @snowman04 , I’ll send you a PM with my notes on these two trees.

Great tree.

 

[mrfish33]

I collected this big one last fall with @Ruddigger. It officially survived so I'm allowed to start dreaming now.

Somewhere in this angle looks best and I may reduce the top as shown. Not touching it this year of course. I learned the hard way to keep these in more shade.

Currently reading this thread for interior maintenance and compaction tips.

View attachment 541849

That's a great looking yamadori mountain hemlock.