In January Neil Hutchings gave a talk on all aspects of tree styling, structural development of trunks and branches, and wiring. Information was given on the techniques involved in ground growing, to establish the desired trunk size, before moving trees into training pots and finally into bonsai pots. He also talked about the use of thread grafting to develop taper and new trunklines as well as creating branches exactly where required. Many thanks to Neil for his informative talk.

February’s meeting saw Brian and Adam demonstrating the creation of group/forest plantings using a number of bare rooted hornbeams. To achieve asymmetry and balance in a group planting, it is recommended to avoid using even numbers of trees. The only exception being if there are such a large number of them, that it wouldn’t be possible to tell. It is also possible to split a group planting into sub groups, for example 5+3 to add interest and variation.

Trees with larger trunks were planted to the front of the composition with smaller ones behind to obtain a realistic perspective. Aiming for a triangular canopy, but waiting until the planting has had a chance to establish itself, before thinking about about the ramification of branches. It is also important to avoid planting in a line, and not recommended to mix species unless a smaller species is used as an under-planting. Thanks to Brian and Adam for the excellent demonstration.