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!

Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

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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 +++++

Although the layering process might give good nebari
for fagus, this is not true of all species. It has
taken me 10 years to begin to get a good nebari on a
Japanese maple airlayer and more for elms. The
difference between the bark and the root covering
stays very obvious on the elm, even when the roots
begin to mature.

Kitsune Miko

--- "David J. Bockman" wrote:
Hi Jeff,

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.


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

In a message dated 12/24/2003 9:30:36 AM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:
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!
Jeff:

Unless this was an exception natural dwarf (collected specimen), it is most
likely that A LOT of effort has gone into the creation, and it is unlikely
that it was developed with substantial manipulation (which could very well
include trunk chops). When trunk chops are properly performed and meticulously
managed over the years, it is extremely difficult to visually perceive the history
of the tree.

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
members.aol.com/iasnob/index.html

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