I don't see an issue with the flat cut off treeman, if carving is performed correctly it can look natural and effective. Who's to say a bonsai must conform to a traditional standard? Bonsai has evolved past this now, look to Japan, they have trees that are large and break traditional structuring. I also don't see an issue with the tree shown below. This looks good in the now and in future it will be even better with further refinement. It will be trimmed properly to cultivate proper branch structure along the way - As well as keeping a strong vigour from having more foliage during the growing season instead of constant hard cut backs. Does a tree in nature receive a constant hard prune every 3 years? No, it does not and most of the time, a tree in nature will not have ideal branching by a traditional bonsai standard but it still looks good. The way that this is trained is by having one branch to start with as a placement, so I think you may as well make it look good.treeman wrote: The problem with James's tree is that it has been cut off flat on top. More on that later.....
Realistically what is show worthy? People are putting their bonsai on display in shows that have been in training for under 5 years time in Australia, who's to say they don't look good? A tree in training for 35 years can look as good as a tree in training for 5 if the training is not effective.
Would you have a picture of the olive you've had in training for "20 years"? What procedures have you taken with it each year to continue it's development. Surely after 20 years it must look a treat.treeman wrote: Here is a magnificent old trunk which unfortunately has been rushed and forced to conform to a standard modern Japanese Juniper type image. A real pity I think and in my mind no thought whatsoever given.
This would be the absolute last thing I would pursue. (but I would kill for that trunk!)
Regards,
James