Crepe myrtle, magnificent but what is wrong with it?

[delisea]

This crepe myrtle was in this year's Kokufu. The branching is amazing. I'm guessing it has been built the slow way right from the start, no short cuts. Check out that fine ramification, I bet it has never been allowed to flower to achieve this. The surface roots have formed a flat plate, you may not like it, but this exactly what crepe myrtle do in normal sized trees.

It is magnificent, but there is something about it that isn't quite right. Anybody have thoughts?

kokufu crepe myrtle.png

Cheers,
Symon

[treeman]

It's magnificent. Some might say that it's a bit too tall and the upper branches are too heavy - losing a bit of harmony with the rest of the tree. That issue will probably be attended too some time in the future, but too me it's pretty fine as is.

[baldtwitlion]

What exactly is it Symon that isnt quite right


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[melbrackstone]

I have to say, the thing I love about Crepe Myrtles is their bark, and I'd prefer to see the tree with less branching down low so you can appreciate that part of its character.

Agree that this must have been nurtured for a very long time, since here they all grow very long straight branches when they flower....

I'd love to see this in all its season's foliage.

[Gerard]

A wonderful tree which has obviously been grown as bonsai for a long time. The tell tale signs are the exaggerated flair of the nebari and the inconsistent taper where the trunk seems to thicken and thin then thicken again. This indicates branches have been grown and cut back many times adding character but a little unnatural. Still, I like it a lot!

[treeman]

A wonderful tree which has obviously been grown as bonsai for a long time. The tell tale signs are the exaggerated flair of the nebari and the inconsistent taper where the trunk seems to thicken and thin then thicken again. This indicates branches have been grown and cut back many times adding character but a little unnatural. Still, I like it a lot!

What aspect do you consider a little unnatural Gerard?

[delisea]

The surface roots are natural.

e50db217b889d4caabbe43e124eaaec5.jpg

The branching and twigging is amazing very like a big tree

e6920dfb19820efabf37f4009ab57da5.jpg

My problem is that crepe myrtles never have one main trunk like this bonsai. They always have multiple trunks coming from the base or the trunk splits into multiple trunks near the base.

crape-myrtle-flowering-09302017-min-1200x630.jpg

2d4c5f9b2b6a4f03dd8f88124bdf51a6--rustic-landscaping-natchez-crepe-myrtle.jpg

If not in a forest they tend to get wider than tall with age.
I think this bonsai misses the essence of a crepe myrtle. Does that matter?
Cheers,
Symon

[Matthew]

If a had a first born id sell it for that tree. Spectacular and a difficult species to cultivate like that.

[Boics]

LOL

[treeman]

Apart from the flowers, the essence of Cm is the bark and the sinuous movement of the branches.......

crepem.JPG

But with bonsai, it's not so important that the work looks like the natural version of the species but rather that it looks natural. Not is natural but looks or appears natural. In that sense when you look at a work you must divorce yourself from all preconceptions and if natural appearance is what is important to you then you will have satisfaction if that is what the bonsai says to you. In other words we are making miniature trees but not necessarily miniature versions. In this case we can take the important native features of the tree (bark and movement) and use those to as the important characteristics to display and enjoy and set it apart from other species.
All of course

[Pearcy001]

Love it

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[baldtwitlion]

Symon are you suggesting that a species can only be bonsaied as it would grow in nature


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[melbrackstone]

I reckon I see more single trunked cm around here... not sure why that would be

[delisea]

Symon are you suggesting that a species can only be bonsaied as it would grow in nature
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No, I reckon you can do whatever you like. However a great tree will distill the feel of a species....or will it? Are there great trees that are nothing like ones in nature?

Matt, I wouldn't give my first born for it, but I have a left kidney that hasn't done much for me lately.

BUT... the essence of this species for me (as well characteristics Mike pointed to) is a trunk bifurcating into multiple sub-trunks and a spreading crown. I grew up with one like this in my front yard, climbed it every day after school. I have two just the same in my back yard now. I look at this tree and I see a great bonsai, but I don't see (my view of) a crepe myrtle. I wondered if others felt the same.
Cheers,
Symon

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

It's been styled in a manner that a Japanese Maple would exhibit (refer image below)

maple.jpg

Some styles have gradually become seen as repetitive or seeming to lack originality, partially due to the ease & accessibility of online web searching & enormity of available pictures for us to view & gain inspiration (or simply copy from).

The traditional style "recipes" that once delivered a certain magic, can now so easily equate to simply being lacklustre.

Style is over rated.
If a tree doesn't immediately captivate & hold my attention through it's own individual nuances, quirky characteristics, damage or odd "faults", then a lasting impression is not retained. The real challenge is make the viewer believe these odd qualities have occurred naturally (although some may not actually "see" or appreciate the efforts.)

I think this bonsai misses the essence of a crepe myrtle. Does that matter?
Cheers,
Symon

Is this any different than the recent discussions on styling old olives to look like ancient junipers? Not sure if it matters to me personally - as long as there is an element of interest, not simply relying on premeditated style.