About a year and a half ago I spotted this bougie in a trash heap in my neighborhood. I took it home and cleaned it up hoping it was still alive. Here are some photos of the journey thus far.

As found. A large, mangled mess.

A five gallon bucket for comparison. This is a large plant.

A little chainsaw love is all it needed.

It had been badly damaged by whoever dug it out of the ground.

I practice what I preach... Stick it in the ground and let it grow!

One year later, it's in a 14 inch plastic pot for training.

Just a few months later and it is coming along nicely.

Well, carving time has begun. I started this sooner than I had expected. It's just that this tree is such a vigorous, strong grower, I just knew it would be okay. I didn't do a whole lot here. I just removed some of the deadwood and cleaned up the edges. It's my intention to NOT cut into bark that is alive.

This is, more or less, the front of the tree. I think in the end it will be turned clockwise just a few degrees more to show off the taper and shape of the trunk. While many would want to show off the carving, I think the shape of the trunk is much more impressive. The deadwood will still be visible, but more from the left side, like a surprise waiting for the viewer.

Thanks for looking, Ed