Well, seeing as you ask :-), my personal idea would be to get rid of the big old branche altogether, carving (with a Dremel) around the bottom creatively to make it look balanced (and of course not affecting growth/roots of the live piece). But, if you want to leave it as is, I'd do a bit of work on that top lumpy part, then apply the LS, but not as a blanket coat, but rather leave 1-2 narrow courses going around and to the top unpainted, which for me would be more graceful. But then, that's me...

So sorry! I misread the picture at first, thinking the top foliage was a separate thing traiing over the wall, and that the wood ended below it! There is no 'lumpy' part of course, so please ignore that. However, as there does seem to be a little area of growth just below the bend in that (large) branch before the top foliage, I'd cut the thing back to the new leaves and make that the new 'top', plus it looks like it's also going in the direction of the lower right hand part of the tree, which could be quite interesting! I would forget the LS altogether and save it for 'real' deadwood on a conifer.

Why no LS? Don't you think it could use IT? It needs it to look aged.

Oh and by the way, What did you mean by I should use it on 'real' dead wood on a conifer instead of the barberry?

Just my opinion - I think LS looks good on some trees, and not necessarily on others. I can't remember now what I meant by 'real' vs otherwise.

Does any one else have a take on this tree? Any opinions?

It is an interesting tree, just needs time and work. You need to decide what to do with the foliage in the future...to my eye the l/s is way too tall for the rest of it but that's up to you.
One thing I would do is hollow out the big branch cuts then incorporate them into the shari going down the side of the trunks. Yes, you should use the lime sulphur to protect the wood and add contrast to what you did.

Bob

Bob,

Thanks for your comment. You said "to my eye the l/s is way too tall for the rest of it but that's up to you." What do you mean? What is the 1/s in the "...l/s is way too tall..." ?

Thanks,

Gardener Guy

Think he means the tall left branch...

I think once I refine the branches I may be able to help the over all look of this tree. The height of the tree may not be as troubling once the branches and pads are formed.

Right, the tall left branch just looks out of place in the design. Rather than your eye following a line or pattern it just leaves the tree but, that's just me. You're creating drama with the dead wood and most of the main portion of the tree (the weight of the design) is compact.

To my eye I'd concentrate on that and keep it compact.

Bob

Yes, I want to make a strong statement with this tree. I want it to look ancient and strong.

I don't see the photos. Can anyone tell me why?

I am not sure what happened o the pictures. They have been there for the whole thread so far. I dont understand it. I'll try to fix it. Sorry you guys,

Gardener Guy

GG,
when I copied the address of the image into my browser, it took me to this page:

http://photos.ivillage.com/images/photos/resize/gardenweb_Garden%20Galleries_1282833043985_538141D.jpg

Were the images hosted by iVillage?


Josh

The images were posted on GardenWeb Gallery. I dont understand why it's I village that comes up. I am sorry. I will looks to find the pics and try to provide the link.

Gardener Guy

Maybe this will help. I looked at the code of the pics I added and it did say they were I village pics but added to the code was Gardenweb Galleries. Its strange to me. I just typed in barberry in the search and found then with ease.

Here you are:

http://photos.gardenweb.com/garden/galleries/2010/08/barberry.html

http://photos.gardenweb.com/garden/galleries/2010/08/barberry_1.html

Gardener Guy