Weekend workshop in Cheshire April 2014

After the first and very successful workshop at Simon Jones house in Cheshire last year, arrangements were made for number 2 and last weekend we got cracking on some trees. I arrived on the Friday lunchtime and we worked on a couple of Simons trees. Si is very kind hearted and offered me a couple of stuunning Blackthorns. As a thankyou and as Si also had a big connection with Steve (Harleyrider) Jackson, I thought it fitting that he took over Steve's tree. We spent an hour or so working on the flat cuts

A closer picture of the straight cuts to be carved.

First one done and the smaller one hollowed for callous to form

Small hole looks a little like a Barn Owls face

Around the back

This is a pot I made a few years back and gave to Simon on the last visit

Suits the Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) quite well

A Crataegus monogyna deadwood that needed a little depth 

Not too much work as there is a lot going on in this space

First morning of the workshop. Once everyone had arrived we discussed each tree, what would improve it and just generally bounced ideas about

A shari was added to draw the eye from the straight section of trunk, a few branches on the right were removed and the angle of next planting was changed.

Mark's rather large raft style Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium?

Both the large trunks were reduced and block carved. Refining the deadwood will be carried out in the Summer.

Hawthorn (Crataegus)

I added chalk marks to those trees that needed carving. Most work was carried out by students with my guidance unless I was showing a particular technique

Johns Privet with topsoil removed to look for a decent base

Again, the wood will harden before refinement

There were 10 of us on Saturday and 12 on Sunday. All had bags of enthusiasm.

A huge Larch (Larix) with some huge issues

The really thick right branch and the straight top were removed to make a very sinuous semi cascade. The roots are fantastic.

Simon caught twice doing some work

Some of his beautiful collected Blackthorn. All growing well and 2 with my name on.

Next workshop is set for August this year and I'm looking forward to it. Well done to Simon for organising this great event.