Sweet Cork Elm Stock from Evergreen Gardenworks

[kdodds]

The picture Brent sent:


Rough first thoughts:


Removed the old leader:


Front with leader removed (pardon the finger):


Trimmed and wired, picture taken at approximate angle it will be planted:


By the by, wiring/bending at the right angle when the tree's NOT at the right angle is kind of tricky and not recommended.

The plan as of 05/05/12... pardon the crappy virt. Plant angle is also a little off and Paint doesn't allow incremental rotation.

[Intriguedbybonsai]

Awesome tree! You have a good eye for nice material. I can't wait to see how it progresses.

[kdodds]

Thanks... I have Brent to thank for that. I devoted a largish sum of money for a single stock tree this year. Where many beginners are accustomed to buying "starts" and "pre-bonsai" materials for $10-20, or no more than $50, a bit more investment will get you a much nice piece of stock to work with. In this case, the tree was under $200, shipped. Now, you can start a huge collection of $20 starts (nothing in the $20 will be "pre" anything unless you want a 3-6" tree), or, you can invest in something a lot further along.

FWIW, most really experienced bonsai experts and masters will go this route. Very few will grow one of their masterpieces from a whip to a "finished" bonsai. Many collect wild trees, buy out large nursery stock sell outs in bulk, or spend hours all season trolling nurseries for one or two acceptable trees. Me, I don't have that kind of time.

I'm blessed in that my property is on the larger side (for this area of suburbia) and wooded. Since I've expanded to outdoor bonsai culture, I've become very familiar with most of what is growing here, full grown trees, and recruits in the under-canopy. I've discovered quite a few future materials and projects, as well as a couple of current ones (holly stump, wild burning bush with lots of deadwood, and a box elder airlayer). I don't have the hours it would take to peruse local nurseries every weekend (although one has a very cool "new" cultivar of Ilex crenata with cupped leaves, I don't have any more space this year). Sooo... if you're in a similar position and don't have access to wild collection (or don't trust your eye), I can highly reccommend Brent and Evergreen Gardenworks for quality stock. Just give him a price range and some idea of what you're looking for and if it's reasonable, and he has something suitable, he'll find it for you.

[Intriguedbybonsai]

I heard of Evergreen Gardenworks, and I see he has a lot of nice material, but my question is, how do you know what he will send you? I don't see any pictures showing what exactly you will receive. I'm very hesitant of ordering mystery plants by mail. I'm the type of guy who likes to see what I'm buying before I buy it.

Most of the experts tell me I shouldn't bother with anything smaller than a 1 1/2 in diameter in the trunk, and that it should have a good nebari.

[Intriguedbybonsai]

sorry for double post. I don't know how to delete this.

[kdodds]

For a smaller or slimmer tree you can get away with 1"according stock. Otherwise, i agree. If you order a "specimen" tree from Brent, he will send a pic for you to okay.

[Intriguedbybonsai]

I see. I may have to check him out one of these days.

[kdodds]

For tropicals, if you want some better stock, Erik Wigert is the man to go to. I haven't ordered from Brent before this. I almost did last year and now I'm sorry I didn't. I highly recommend both of them.