A quick update for the records of this flowering cherry last posted here

autumn 15

current nebari

autumn 17

I’ve finally got more backbudding and after a couple of years free growth I’ve got more to work with and the trunk is slowly maturing in age and girth.  Good colour this autumn but not the best I’ve had.  I’ll try and get some wiring done over the winter.  Hope to finally repot in the spring.

Like all bonsai enthusiasts in the dead of winter, I’m excited about the potential of the growing season ahead. I’ve a lot catch up on after two years of inactivity in the garden but in some cases this has been a good thing. Some of the field grown material has flourished and thickened considerably and today I decided to check if some projects were progressing as I’d hoped. The following trees were all ground layered two years ago to hopefully produce a better surface root system:

First was a European Hornbeam

It was planted in cat litter in the ground and I found lots of fine root throughout this. Didn’t go down to Nebari level though as I didn’t want to do much damage at this point. I am satisfied though with the new flare at the bottom of the trunk. While I was at it I took care of some top pruning but left the bottom branches. I’ll airlayer the sacrifice branch in spring. Can’t wait to lift this tree when buds fatten up!

Created during 2020 on Field Maple material that has been grown in the ground for 8 years. The airlayer has been put in the ground to protect it over the winter. I’ll have a proper look at the roots in the spring.