First impression

[larrygockley]

Just wondered if anyone would care to comment on this Brazillian pepper tree. It is about 18 in. tall , and it is three years old, looking better this summer than last. Thanks, Larry

[BillsBayou]

Is it growing over a rock? What is that white tower substance?

I'd like to see some of the branches pulled down and padded out.

There appears to be two main trunk lines; one in the foreground, and one behind that white tower. Develop an apex for both.

The entire composition seems to be "squared" off rather than triangular. I see straight lines in the profile.

The movement of the front trunk is very good. However, I'm not too happy with the bar-branch arrangement of the first two branches. Beyond those two branches, there does not appear to be much taper in the trunk.

I'd think about getting rid of that trunk/branch growing out of the base of that forward trunk. I'm not sure it's needed there.

[larrygockley]

Thanks for your reply Bill. You gave a lot of food for thought, and I will weigh every bit of it. It is growing on deadwood, not a rock, and that's why it is white. One problem I may have with small foliage pads is the leaves are compound. They did reduce by about 1/4 the size in the wild, but are compound none the less. I will work on the triangle thing. Thanks a lot. Larry

[plantmanky]

Thanks for your reply Bill. You gave a lot of food for thought, and I will weigh every bit of it. It is growing on deadwood, not a rock, and that's why it is white. One problem I may have with small foliage pads is the leaves are compound. They did reduce by about 1/4 the size in the wild, but are compound none the less. I will work on the triangle thing. Thanks a lot. Larry

Larry,

I like your Brazilian pepper!!! was wondering how it's comming along this year. I'd love to find one to play around with. I've started working on a related species Peruvian pepper (S. molle) often refered to as California pepper that I started from seed a few years back that I got on one of my trips back to california to visit my brother.

[centaura]

I'm not sure that I like the apex on the right, the one that looks like its behind the deadwood. There seems to be a strong movement in your nebari that pushes the eye to the left, and that main branch also pulls my eye to the left, but then I get confused when the trunk double backs to what looks like behind the deadwood. I think if you directed more of your movement that direction, you can visually get more impact out of the deadwood, and have a more consistent movement throughout the tree. Otherwise, nice looking tree and interesting use of deadwood.

-Cat