Privet Bonsai Spring Maintenance

Haven't had much time to work on bonsai, however this Privet deserved a visit from the scissors.  Going to clean up alot of the free growth, and partially defoliate to reduce leaf size to spur further back-branching and ramification of the crown/apex.

 Before work begins, looking a bit wild.

Trimming and defoliation complete. 

 

View of the hollow I'm working on over time to carve into the main trunk. 

Privet Double-Trunk Bonsai gets a little work

Here is a Privet that I've been training into bonsai for about 2 years now since collection.  A Privet with 2 trunks.  I've hollowed out both trunks to give the impression of natural damage/age.  Now it's time for some branch moving and a little pinching before full spring/summer growth kicks in.

Before work begins.  Pot created by my best friend Aaron, the infamous 'brick' pot.

View of the larger trunk with some carving done.  Fire applied to give appearance of natural causes and to 'age' the open deadwood.  I use a paintbrush to blend in the ashes and brunt crust into the wood that I've then carved.  This view shows a few branches that I'm going to move today.

A view from the rear, or, another possible 'front' view?  Pinching done on most branches past 2 terminals.  A few were left to grow to help thicken a few precise branches.  Can see I've brought a few branches down on the left side now, and applied a little wire.

That's it for this go-around.   In May this tree will get a heavy defoliation to reduce leaf size and aid ramification of this tree.

Privet Bonsai gets a haircut

This year I will be paying closer attention to this tree, giving it 1-2 defoliations and much pinching of new growth; This is a double trunk privet; Privet grows like mad and now it's time to get into the delicate work of it before it gets out of hand as spring approaches.  Both trunks will eventually be hollowed somewhat to allot for water runoff and to give the tree some extra character.  working out where to place all the branches - and have given it the beginning of it's apex.

Not much wiring, albeit a few branches were redirected down that I'm deciding to keep and build upon.

 Before work - made it through the winter well.

 Defoliated, left just a few tiny leaves here and there.

Brought a few branches down, cut back the 'too many apexes' syndrome it was looking to have.  Will leave it as is for now, next defoliation (in May likely) will result in a few more branches removed, and placement of remaining, in preparation of summer growth.

Who knows, it may go from 2 trunks to 1 eventually, the 2nd has no motion in the trunk, but this could change with some carving and hollowing as I"m planning to try out on this tree.

Privet is a hardy plant, great for beginners like me to tool with and get my techniques down pat on!