Hi Jeff,

Mr. Valavanis speculated that this tree came from an airlayer. Airlayering
beech seems to be (from what I've read, I've never attempted it myself) a
pretty intricate process-- it's completely covered in great detail in a
series of 2 or 3 articles in Bonsai Today (perhaps someone here with an
index can provide the specific issue numers, or I can dig through the copies
and try to find them). Anyway, it's a fascinating process that I'd love to
try to get some really big stuff going.

The layering process will automatically give a great deal of flair to the
root bole because of the swelling involved-- I'm sure you know beech have a
powerful callousing response to wounding. Add to that the shallow growbox
method of directing surface roots laterally along with Fagus' natural strong
tendency to build a mass of fused roots right at the surface, plus the
obvious great age of the tree (that kind of ramification in unbelievable!)
and I think we have our tree.

David J. Bockman, Fairfax, VA (USDA Hardiness Zone 7)
Bunabayashi Bonsai On The World Wide Web: http://www.bunabayashi.com
email:


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ]On Behalf
Of Isom, Jeff (EM, PTL)
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2003 9:30 AM
To:
Subject: [IBC] Beech tree on the gallery


There is currently a post on the gallery of an absolutely phenomenal
Japanese Beech tree. The nebari, taper and branch structure are nearly
unbelievable. How is this type of taper created? I saw no scarring from
trunk chops, yet the taper is VERY dramatic. Could someone please walk me
through the technique use to achieve this in detail? I realize
it will take
some number (large) of years to achieve, but for results like that it will
be worth it!

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Jarbas Godoy ++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++