Another shimpaku

Mbunro · Post by **Mbunro** » November 12th, 2018, 2:37 pm

Yesterday I began work on a shimpaku I purchased about 6 months ago from the bonsai emporeum.
I gave it a light prune when I got it and shortened the lowest branch but stopped when I realised I had no plan... Finally inspiration struck yesterday and so it got its first basic styling..

The lower jins were there when I bought it.. as odd as they are I think they add a sense of balance to the tree and help to distract from the minor reverse taper issue, so for the time being they will all stay.

I'm in 2 minds about the top Jin. I like the way it adds to the straightening out of the trunk line as your eye moves up the tree but on the other hand it may be too distracting..
Very keen to see how it reacts over the next year or so. I will continue to post updates as it develops.

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KIRKY · Post by **KIRKY** » November 12th, 2018, 2:58 pm

You have got to be happy with that. What a great result. If it were mine I would just take a bit of bending to the top Jin to me the tree is a great little informal, With a straight rocket top. A few bends now while the Jin is fresh should fix it

Still well done

Cheers
Kirky

Mbunro · Post by **Mbunro** » November 12th, 2018, 4:01 pm

thanks for the kind words kirky.
really appreciate the feedback.. i see what your saying about putting movement in the top jin. this is something i tried but couldnt get the movement to flow with the rest of the tree. kind of hard to explain but all the movement in the trunk is down low and the trunk gradually straightens as it moves up through the canopy, so any movement introduced to the jin somewhat clashes with whats going on below, which is why i wired it straight...
i still have time for adjustments so will definitely have another tweak and see if i can get some subtle movement that works before the branch sets.

Keep Calm and Ramify · November 12th, 2018, 5:13 pm

Hey Mbunro,
I can understand the jins at the base

, but that top one? - I'm not so sure?
I'd probably loose it altogether or really shorten it down to just a stub. Don't think you need it regardless if it's curly or straight.

Nice going - heaps of potential.

MJL · Post by **MJL** » November 12th, 2018, 6:56 pm

Yep Mbunro. I really like what you’ve done here. Excellent.

So good in fact that ... amazingly, you’ve attracted a unicorn to perch on its butt in your upper branches.

Sort of like this

IMG_5486.jpg

It must like the tree. Well done.

Still, If it was mine, I’d coax the unicorn down from your tree.

Bonsai teaches me patience.

Ryceman3 · Post by **Ryceman3** » November 12th, 2018, 8:23 pm

I concur with KC&R’s assessment... if you wanna keep the top jin bring it down a notch or three. I really like the styling you’ve put into the rest of the tree, I think you’ve done well Mbunro - nice start!

Fantastic use of the stock, I think you got the best out of it, good job!

Mbunro · Post by **Mbunro** » November 13th, 2018, 9:34 am

it seems the general consensus is that the top jin needs to go.. I thought id cop more flack for the bottom jins though to be honest.
but i will likely remove it during the next stage of work but for now im going to leave all options open in case i lose any branches and need to completely rethink the design.

Watto · Post by **Watto** » November 14th, 2018, 5:46 am

OK so I'm in the other boat. I would keep the top jin for now however I would twist it and shape it to the same curves as the other parts of the tree, as the tree grows and the foliage increases the jin may very well then be at a good height. If all else fails you can take it off at another time but for now keep as much as you can.

Mbunro · Post by **Mbunro** » March 15th, 2022, 5:00 pm

Little update on this one..
Messed up the angle at repot.
Kept the jin

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