So, I think I've discovered the fastest way to miniaturize alder leaves (which from what I've read is fairly hard to do). They key is to transplant it with almost no roots, bringing it to the verge of death, and not allowing it the correct resources it requires!
That's basically what I did to this little guy, it's a miracle he survived. Hastiness and excitement led me to bring him indoors, about a month ago, when Juneau was still in the throes of winter. The leaves started opening up quickly, but then froze for about 3 weeks. I was sure he was dead, but I know alders love water, so I poured vast amounts of water on it, and it woke up about a week ago. Now it looks like this:
When my new concave cutters arrive I'll fix some of those big bumps that stand out so prominently, and I'll snip that tall thin branch by the end of summer.
These next pictures are of a small spruce that I've super excied to have found. It has an interesting trunk, loads of branches, good taper, and so, so many fine roots. I dug it out of some very rocky soil. If you expand the picture you can see how snow has pressed one of the main branches down almost parallel with the trunk. I think with a little clean up this tree will look awesome.
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