Yorkshire Bonsai Association
The Yorkshire Bonsai Association
Work in Progress
Olive (Olea europaea)
This common olive was, I believe, originally collected from Spain. It at first appears to be wonderful material, showing aged bark and lovely natural deadwood. Further investigation shows that the base of the deadwood has decayed and even worse, an attempt to layer the tree by a previous owner was unsuccessful, leaving a conspicuous scar on the lower trunk. If we are to make this into a good Bonsai, we must first correct this.
Details of the decay. All rotten material is removed and the whole area is treated with wet rot preservative. This is the stuff that is normally applied to rotten windowsills and frames. The stick in the picture shows the intended new soil line.
Surface soil is removed, uncovering the entire lower trunk.
The olive has a chop inn the top which must be carved to sympathise with the deadwood on the rest of the trunk.
The roots are very healthy, dense and flexible and will accommodate the new planting position.
A basic training pot is used. A mixture of equal parts of Akadama and Kiryu is the planting medium. The tree is secured with plenty of wires to prevent any movement in the pot once the styling process begins.
A wooden wedge is placed under the trunk to stabilise it further.
The pot is filled with soil and a ball of sphagnum moss is placed in the void of the trunk as soil will simply wash away.
After being watered in, the tree has unnecessary branches removed.
Details of the apex.
Olive branches are very flexible. Copper wire was used to add movement and interest to the branches.
The fully wired tree. It will now be placed in my greenhouse and watered as the soil dries out. Bottom heat will also be used to assist in the recuperation of the tree.
A year later an unusual pot is made with wire mesh, car body filler and cellulose paints. A wide variety of underplantings are used to accentuate its natural appearance.
The tree one year on from its initial styling. It has started to fill in very well and in another year will be exhibit able.
The olive at the 2005 Yorkshire Bonsai Association annual exhibition.

Note that the lowest, left branch has been removed to improve the movement and balance of the design.