BE BRAVE.

The first step was to cut the group in half and re-install the wires holding it all onto the slate. This is nothing more glamorous than thin copper wire threaded through holes drilled in the bottom of the slate. Using thin wire means that there are no problems with the base not sitting flat on the bench and on top the wire will disappear under the moss better..

YOU'LL NEVER KNOW TILL YOU TRY

Next, having decided what needed doing, a large wedge was cut out at the front between the groups to allow the turning to take place. It became apparent that this would result in the right hand group being further away. To overcome this I had to cut away what I could between the groups in order to get the third and fourth tree from the left as close as possible.

THE CAMERA NEVER LIES

Once happy with the arrangement it was simply a case of nibbling away at the perimeter of the root pad to make it fit the slate once more. Compost was added where needed, wire tightened and all held together with moss.

Once again the camera showed the fault. The left hand two trees are still interfering with each other and the whole left hand group is leaning over. So some final adjustments had to be made before I was finally happy. Having said that, I am already planning what to alter next but that's for another year.

THATS BETTER

The main tree now stands up straight and everything else leans away in the desired direction. The third trunk from the left could maybe do with leaning a touch more to the right to balance the one on the left but this can be adjusted without any more major disturbance. Number four could do with being a little taller but this may not be so apparent when number three is adjusted. Some branch refinement will be needed and a little wiring to adjust a couple of angles but for now I'm happy.

Within the next month the new growth will be out and I will be posting a better quality shot of the finished design. Please come back and have a look and let me know what you think.