One Year Anniversary

The one year anniversary of The Experiment is in July and so it's time to take stock in just where we are in the process. I was told this would be a three to five year project, and I think things look like they are coming along just fine!

Here's what the tree looks like today. The ends of the branches are starting to form balls and it's really taking shape. I think I might still need to trim a couple more of the branches as they get larger so they won't bump into each other, but that is for another day.

As a frame of reference, this is what the tree looked like on the day I put it into the pot, back in July of 2011. Quite a difference.

I really like the way the top of the tree is starting to look. I'm not sure if it will form one big ball or each branch will have its own. We'll just let nature decide. I am a little concerned about some brown needles on the middle of the branches. I don't know if that is a problem or just summer-time pine tree blues. Something to keep an eye on.

Finally, I had to include a picture of my daughter Caitlin, who helped me get The Experiment started. She is off studying in France this summer and this picture was taken just before she left. There should be some good Karma there, with a poodle tree and a summer in France!

SUMMER HOURS: For a special summer treat, come watch the sun come up at The Experiment! Every Thursday in August we will open early for a special sunrise viewing. Enjoy coffee and treats, and watch the summer sunrise thru the branches of the tree! Be sure to call ahead an make reservations because space is filling up fast.

LABOR DAY AT THE EXPERIMENT: Make your reservations now to hear from one of the leading experts on Poodle Trees, Frank Plescia of the Traveling Poodlers. Plescia will give a talk titled "Why I'm a Poodler and How You Can Be Too!" It's part of our Labor Day weekend celebration at The Experiement.   

First Day of Summer

The first full day of summer brought another visitor to the Experiment. My sister Bev wanted a first hand look at how things were going.

To say she was impressed would be an understatment. It was apparent she was both captivated and entranced by the mystery and beauty of the Experiment. She said "this is the coolest thing you have ever done." I'm taking that as a compliment.

Showing off the tree to a visitor gave me a chance to really look at the way things are going, and I was surprised how a closer look showed some real progress.

That last trimming has already started to have an impact. Needles at the end of branches are getting thicker and a couple of the branches have actually started to form balls. You can start to see some results and the potential that this is really going to work. We are still a long way off, but it's progress!

Summer Schedule: The Experiment will be closed on July 4th for a private party. If you would like to book a private party, wedding, or reunion at The Experiment, call our front office.

Time for a Summer Trim

It's been almost a year since the Experiment began and today was the day for a BIG summer trim! 



The candles have gotten pretty long and so I figured it was time to cut them back and see if we can start shaping up the tree.



I tried to cut the candles on each branch evenly so we could start to see what this might look like in the end. Some of the candles had gotten several inches long.

I'm still trying to decide how many branches to leave and how big each section of the poodle will be. I think the top is going to be pretty big, but I'm not sure how the branches are going to work. One thing I haven't seen is the actual branches starting to thicken. I was told that would happen when the length of the branch is limited with the trimming. I have to say I am encouraged! It is actually starting to take shape and since we are less than a year into a five year project, it looks pretty good! I'll get some more pictures of the entire tree in about a week.

SUMMER HOURS: The Experiment will go to summer hours for visitors starting Saturday, June 16. Summer hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday. We are closed on Sunday and Monday. Please call ahead if possible to avoid the crowds.

Snow Falling on Scotch Pine

We got our first snowfall of the year here in the Willamette Valley and our little tree got quite a dusting.

There was about an inch of snow in the backyard. The tree seemed to handle it well. Actually it looks kind of pretty with the snow on the needles.

 It will be something to look forward to when the tree is really Poodled-out and the snow hits!

Happy Winter!!

Christmas at the Experiment

It's been just over five months since the Experiment began and things are looking good. We even got into the holiday spirit and decorated the tree!

 It's hard to tell because this is such a slow process but I do think that the needles at the end of the branches are starting to bunch up and thicken.

I'm still trying to figure out how often I should be clipping the candles. Should I be doing it monthly or more, or should I just wait until the candles get pretty long? I've looked online at some websites but haven't gotten a good answer. If anyone has any suggestions, I would appreciate a comment. There is a workshop at the Japanese Gardens in Portland this spring that I hope to attend. Maybe Santa will bring me a gift certificate for Christmas!

From all of us at the Experiment, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

The Experiment Has Visitors

Poodle Tree enthusiasts Frank Plescia, Gary Tinseth, and his brother Jim Tinseth made a stop at the Experiment a part of their vacation plans.

The Experiment likes to hear from Poodle Tree fans and is always happy to host visitors. Plescia and the Tinseth boys like to call themselves "The Traveling Poodlers" and were overjoyed at getting a look at the early stages of the Poodle Tree process. "On our Poodle Tree road trips we see a lot of Poodle Tree that are complete." said Plescia. "It's not often you get to follow one from the very beginning. This is extremely exciting." 

Gary Tinseth examines one of the middle branches of the tree. "I'm fascinated by the combination of gardening and art. This truely is a living work of art. I don't know if I will be able to stand the wait to see how it finally turns out. Plus, I just like the smell of pine needles." he said.

I gave the boys a brief history of the Experiment and brought them up to date with the latest phase of the project. Always a good host, I also served them chips and dip before sending them on their way. The Experiment has been underway for about three months now, and it's still to early to tell how it's going to turn out. There has been some growth around the ends of the branches, and I have trimmed the candles again to promote more shoots. I need to do some research to see what I should do during the winter in terms of protecting the tree and keep promoting the growth. I also trimmed a few more branches to better shape the tree. Rremember this is a five year project, and so three months is just barely the beginning. 

Here's what we're going for.

A couple of my readers suggested that I include a picture of what a complete Poodle Tree looks like so they could get an idea of what I'm trying to do. Good idea! So today I saw a good example and snapped a photo. This tree is slightly smaller than my tree, but you get the idea. I would guess that this Poodle Tree is at least three or four years along, so I've got a ways to go with mine.

I was talking with a lady at a Farmer's Market last week about my tree. She claimed it would never work and that I had probably already killed the tree. "You can't do that with a Scotch Pine." she cackled. I told her I would bring her a picture in five years to prove her wrong. I'm not going back to her vegetable stand anymore this summer. I don't need the bad karma!