Full record of the creative process of a straight-trunk hawthorn tree
▲2002
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This small hawthorn stump was collected from the wild in 2002, and the original tree was nearly three meters tall. This stump material was quite ordinary, a typical straight trunk with no taper and no branches; its only merit was that the bark was fairly aged. Stump material with a poor foundation often requires a longer cultivation time.
▲6 months after planting
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After being collected from the wild, it was planted in a training pot to regain strength. After 6 months, it gradually began to recover its vitality, and buds also began to emerge from the middle and lower parts of the trunk.
▲August 2003
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After a year of unrestricted growth, the tree was relatively vigorous. I had been thinking about how to design the styling. Since the trunk had no transition, if it were to be made into a typical tall straight-trunk bonsai, it would take a long time to build up the trunk and then the branches, often ten years. So I began to think about whether there was a plan that could achieve the shape quickly. Considering that there were shoots growing from the base of the trunk, the lower shoots could be used to make a miniature bonsai, which would shorten the time needed to achieve the shape.
▲December 2003
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According to the earlier idea, the trunk was cut short to about 10 cm.
▲April 2004
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It was in the recovery period after being cut short. The cut was treated again and given preliminary carving and refinement. Later, the cut would be further carved to create a worm-eaten effect, making it look more natural.
▲April 2005
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First potting. The notch on the surface of the pot echoes the deadwood on the trunk.
▲December 2005
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After leaf fall. The branches began to gradually become finer and fuller. The cut had already been carved and treated, showing a naturally decayed effect.
▲June 2006
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Lush branches and leaves.
▲End of 2007
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Carving was carried out again to improve the details, and hollowing was added to increase the visual interest of the trunk.
▲December 2007
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Tree height 12 cm.
▲September 2013
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Because this potted hawthorn changed hands in 2008, seeing it again was already 5 years later. Judging from the leaf color, the roots had probably filled the pot and it lacked nutrients, so it needed a soil change and repotting; fortunately, its condition was still fairly good.
▲December 2013
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After leaf fall, pruning and wiring for styling.
▲Back side
▲Root base
▲December 2003 - December 2013
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In the blink of an eye, it was already ten years. It took ten years to gradually approach maturity, which was truly not easy.