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Restoring a Japanese beech

May 13, 2011 by Jonas Dupuich

You never know what you’re going to find when you repot a tree for the first time, or when you finally get around to addressing a tree’s major flaws. The Japanese beech below was due for a reboot. The tree’s owner began by working on the roots.

Japanese beech

Japanese beech

Problem roots

Poor nebari

In addition to removing rotten, dead roots, the tree’s owner worked to flatten the base of the rootball. By carving away unnecessary wood under the trunk, we can encourage the lateral roots that help flare the base of the trunk and create taper. After grinding away for a while – a blister-inducing activity – signs of an old air layer appeared. Although it’s common to use a tight band of aluminum wire when air layering beech, its best to remove the wire before it becomes embedded.

Evidence of air layer

Evidence of an old layer – flashes of aluminum wire

With the rootwork complete, the tree’s owner planted the beech in a large box to encourage rapid root growth. In a few years, we can expect a lot of improvement in the roots.

Repotting

In the new pot

Repotting

Not sure if this is the front or the back – time will tell

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Filed Under: Bonsai Care Tagged With: Beech, Repotting

Previous Post: « Evaluating bonsai at Bay Island Bonsai meeting
Next Post: Restoring an old Japanese maple »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy Sloan says

    May 13, 2011 at 11:14 am

    What soil are you using? Thanks, Kathy

  2. Justin Rotert says

    May 13, 2011 at 11:55 am

    Hey same question as Kathy, and sorry to ask this random question but, What is the best thing to do with a recently collected Urban yamadori? Like I just brought it home now what? I know some wash all the dirt off(with deciduous ) some leave it in a bucket with water for a day and plant it in a box and let it rest….?
    THANKS

    Justin

    • xwires says

      May 13, 2011 at 4:07 pm

      @Justin and Kathy – You can read more about the soil here: http://bonsaitonight.com/2010/10/01/bonsai-soil/.

      @Justin – As for urban yamadori, I don’t recommending bare rooting the tree this time of year – you can work on the roots during repotting season. The main thing is keeping the tree healthy. The fun part can begin when the tree is growing vigorously in its new home.

      @JayCee – I haven’t air layered fir trees before. Maybe some other readers will offer advice for the species.

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