Entry #61
Bottle Brush (Callistemon citrinus)
USA
50.8cm (20")
Before
In March of 2013, I purchased this bottle brush tree at the local Lowe’s, at that time the roots were cut back to allow the tree to acclimate to a shallower pot, some basic pruning was performed to the branches in May of this year to relieve the reduced root load, it has been allowed to grow out unrestrained to recover some of the former vigor.
I chose to create a bonsai using the Bottle brush tree,Calistemon Citrinus which actually a shrub to about 8 feet tall in my region; the starting height of this tree is roughly 18-20” inches tall to the peak of the leading branches, I purchased this tree at local home improvement store last winter specifically Lowe’s. The main reason I chose this tree to work with is the rough fissured bark, which gives some interesting possibilities, it has numerous branches that are pliable and will bend to shape easily, it has a fairly nice trunk and this species from my experience will usually back bud equally well.
I plan to take this tree in the direction of a slanted style small to medium sized tree.
One Quarter Progression
This progression photo #1 shows the initial pruning and wiring of the subject. I have left extra length on the branches and apex in order to ensure the health of the tree. It also affords the opportunity to be more selective with the final pruning and overall design of the tree.
Some of the excess branches will most likely be shortened or removed in the final composition. The tree will be planted in a bonsai pot in the future to best display the gnarly trunk line.
Photo #2 showing the slanted trunk from another angle.
A long top branch has been brought down to cover the negative space area in the back. Initially I may remove the current apex and incorporate the long upper back branch filling the negative space as the new apex.
Photo #3 shows the wired tree from the opposite side
Photo #4 shows the overall branch positions from the top; they have begun to back bud from the initial pruning of a few months ago.