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2014-12-19

False Acacia Pre-Bonsai

Not yet 100% sure what species this is but chances are that its what we locally call a "false acacia" a.k.a. Leucaena Leucocephala. I will have to wait for the flowers to be sure.

In the meantime I've decided it was time to start working on this little guy.

Leucaena Leucocephala
What I would consider to become the future front
Leucaena Leucocephala
Previous owner was trying to train a new apex but I disagree with this approach. When this branch will thicken later
I feel it would be too close to the deadwood already present. One has to go.
Leucaena Leucocephala
There's an interesting natural uro (hollowed out area) on the lower area. The wood look already weathered and might need some treatment sooner than later.
Leucaena Leucocephala
The old apex that dried out. I know lots of articles say that jin (dead branch, usually stripped of bark) is mostly for coniferous bonsai but being in a tropical context with lots of  deciduous and broadleaf species, I see natural jin and natural shari on lots of  deciduous / broadleaf species.

Sketch

It always helps when you see something in a plant and put it down into a sketch. You don't need to be a great artist and it does not need to be a drawing. I can be notes or a description of what you see in your material. 

In this case I see an african styled tree, slanted with the foliage pad growing away from the main trunk.
I also want to make use of that old dead apex .
Leucaena Leucocephala

Time to start working

Leucaena Leucocephala
Just for info I was working on the tree at night, that's the reason why the leaves are closed. Its not due to wiltering!
Leucaena Leucocephala
If I go by my sketch, then I need to keep this section of foliage.
Leucaena Leucocephala
If I go by my sketch, then I need to remove this section of foliage.

Leucaena Leucocephala
There are various bud that have started to swell. For me that means that a new growth cycle is starting.
Leucaena Leucocephala
The tree seems to display an apical dominance so I'll need to take this into account too.

Leucaena Leucocephala
Those two branches need to be removed. 
Leucaena Leucocephala
Leucaena Leucocephala
Leucaena Leucocephala
Cleaning up done

Carving the shari

Leucaena Leucocephala
Some of the wood carving tools I'll be using to create the jin.
Leucaena Leucocephala
Leucaena Leucocephala
Leucaena Leucocephala
Leucaena Leucocephala
Leucaena Leucocephala
I found a cavity at the back of the trunk. It was not too deep but I'm glad I did that carving early.
If I had waited another year before starting to work that jin this might have gotten worst.
Leucaena Leucocephala
Back side cleared of its bark.

Done for now

I'm done for now.
I'm going to allow the jin to be worked by the elements and keep a close eye on it.
The bark is rather dark, so I might use some lime sulphur on the jin and uro to make them come out.

Leucaena Leucocephala
Future front
Leucaena Leucocephala
Side of the tree

Leucaena Leucocephala
What I'd like to achieve in the future




5 comments:

  1. Like and learned a lot! Nice documentation and vision!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Xavier de Lapeyre. I think that your drawing is the way to go. Thinking of the African Acacia, often viewed on the skyline, on the plains of Africa,comes to mind. Also, because of the habit of growth of the Acacia, it's not one that you can restrict to much, without spoiling it's natural appearance, and becoming overly contrived. If the foliage happens to grow outside your intended canopy, which it will, because of the nature of its foliage. You can allow it to without it spoiling it's Image.
    This is only my opinion for you to bandy about , if you think it's worth while. Hope you are open to suggestions..
    I feel that with most other styles it won't work, because you will be continually fighting against the Acacias feathery foliage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Peter :)
      How's it doing? Thanks for the feedback.
      I did take the tree's natural growing style and decided to work with it instead of against it.
      The african bonsai community has been using this round domed shape for some time, and several have nicknamed it "pierneef bonsai style". I call it african style.

      Lets wait and see how it turns out!
      Cheers

      Delete
  3. Hi Xavier. Time will tell. IT will be interesting to see the result. Thank you for sharing your experience.
    All the best
    Peter

    ReplyDelete
  4. hi i think your tree maybe a delonix regia not a false acacia.
    i am quite sure as i have both trees as bonsai.
    cheers rod

    ReplyDelete