Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Downsizing Christmas





































I germinated this spruce tree from a seed that was sent to me eight years ago, with the intention of growing it as a bonsai specimen. This year it's finally big enough to cope with some Christmas decorations. If I'd planted it in the garden it might eventually have grown to about 50 feet tall; as a bonsai it's unlikely to grow to much more than a couple of feet, but it'll be a family Christmas tree that I can hand on to my children. Once Christmas is over it will get some careful  pruning and training.

 Best wishes for a Happy Christmas to all who have visited and commented on this blog throughout 2013.

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18 comments:

  1. Amanda PetersDecember 24, 2013 at 9:49 PM

    Love the tree...
    Happy Christmas.

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  2. GloDecember 25, 2013 at 5:53 AM

    What a happy little tree ~ will there be a little tiny present under the tree? ;) Merry Christmas to you and yours ~

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    1. PhilDecember 25, 2013 at 2:47 PM

      Merry Christmas Glo! Just room for a few Quality Street chocolates under the tree.......

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  3. holdingmomentsDecember 25, 2013 at 6:21 AM

    A lovely tree Phil, and a great idea to pass it on through the family.
    Best wishes.

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    1. PhilDecember 25, 2013 at 2:48 PM

      All the best for Christmas Keith - looking forward to admiring more of your photos in 2014

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  4. Imperfect and TenseDecember 25, 2013 at 9:07 AM

    Neat!
    Merry Christmas, Phil.
    Best Wishes, Graeme

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  5. joebloggsDecember 25, 2013 at 9:59 AM

    Great little tree Phil,
    Thanks for the posts over the past year, as always entertaining informative and very beautiful to look at.....but enough about me!
    Look forwards to many more next year, have a very relaxed and not too merry holiday.

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    1. PhilDecember 25, 2013 at 2:51 PM

      Thanks for the kind words - merry Christmas!

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  6. ADRIANDecember 25, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    A wonderful tree and a great idea.
    My father spent years bonsai-ing a Yew. it died at about fifteen years old just when it started to become recognisable. I wish you all the best with yours and a reaaly good 2014.

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    1. PhilDecember 25, 2013 at 3:41 PM

      Thanks Adrian. I'm hoping to keep this one alive. I was looking after a bonsai hornbeam of about the same age that died - it belonged to my daughter so I'm trying to make amends! All the best of the rest of Xmas and the New Year - may all your photos be pin sharp and perfectly exposed (unless you are deliberately trying for arty effects!)

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  7. AnonymousDecember 25, 2013 at 11:52 PM

    What a lovely idea, it is beautiful.

    I have enjoyed reading your blog Phil, I hope that you and the family have had a good day.

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    1. PhilDecember 26, 2013 at 10:11 AM

      Thanks Toffeeapple - all the best to you for the rest of Christmas and for 2014.

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  8. UnknownDecember 27, 2013 at 1:16 AM

    Phil, A Super Christmas botanical blog post, the best I have seen this year! I'm loving the C of C generally too. Happy New Year from Dr M (Jonathan Mitchley)

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  9. PhilDecember 27, 2013 at 10:44 AM

    Thanks Jonanthan - and all the best to you for 2014. I'm a lamentably incompetent field botanist who is learning a lot from your blog!

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  10. Richard PeglerDecember 31, 2013 at 11:32 AM

    Sorry I'm a bit late in getting to this, Phil.

    That's a really special Christmas tree you have there! You must be very proud of it.

    I've really enjoyed following your posts this year.

    Wishing you health, happiness and prosperity for 2014, and looking forward to more inspiration and information from you in the coming year.

    Richard

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  11. PhilDecember 31, 2013 at 3:38 PM

    Thanks Richard - hope you have an excellent 2014 too

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