Hawthorn
raft style

Hawthorn raft style by Harry Harrington

This case study shows a Hawthorn found in a forest and trained into a raft-style Bonsai tree.

Instead of digging the tree out after being found, it was initially chopped back and left to recover in the forest. About a year later the tree was found in a bad condition after being run over by a car; the root system was seriously damaged.

Hawthorn raft bonsai
The tree after it was dug out and planted into pure sphagnum moss (with its pot left soaking in a shallow tray of water).
Hawthorn raft bonsai
A few months later, when the tree started growing again, it was planted in a container. Image on the right: During the next spring the tree was planted at an angle in a growing field, in order to make it look like it was fallen over. About three years later the tree was fully recovered and dug out once again; after bare rooting it (clearing the roots from all the soil) a healthy root-system appeared.
Hawthorn raft bonsai
The tree is planted in a large pot, at an angle.
Hawthorn raft bonsai
Regular pruning will refine its branch structure.
Hawthorn raft bonsai
Four years after collection.
Hawthorn raft bonsai
Five years after being found, the tree was pruned regularly and a fine branch structure was created. The tree is 13.5" (33cm) tall.

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