Preview of a restyling of a Mugo pine from 1951

[Grant Bowie]

A Mugo pine I bought from Ledanta Nursery last year.

Fig 1 Front.JPG

Fig 2 Left.JPG

Fig 3 Back.JPG

Fig 4 Right.JPG

Fig 5 Close up of lower trunk..JPG

[63pmp]

BUMP!!!!

I'm sure you have some plans for it, so I'll not say anything other than thanks for sharing.

I look forward to see what you are going to do. Or is this it?

Paul

[Asus101]

Sorry Leigh, sorry Grant, but that is one UGLY lookin mugo...

[Bretts]

It's not one I would fight for in my collection but it will be very intresting to see what Grant has done with it.
I bet you would like to have this tree in your hands for that workshop Asus

[Asus101]

Maybe if i had a samurai carver with me...

[Grant Bowie]

Hi everyone,
The tree has its challenges and had not materially changed for many years and was prime for a reworking. I really liked the tree when I saw it because of its potential to be massively reworked.
Full article to come soon with the work as finished about a year ago now. I will also show how the tree looks after one year of growth but still with a long wat to go.

Grant

[63pmp]

I'm glad it wasn't just me who thought it needed some work.

I can see some interesting opportunities for clever wiring and bending. Look forward to the article.

Paul

[Steven]

G'day Grant,
I think a lot of members here would not have commented on this tree due to the AB.C rule # 2 - "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all'. I know that is why I didn't reply
I'm looking forwards to seeing what you have done with it!

Regards,
Steven

[Grant Bowie]

Hi Steve,

I am glad it may have caused a bit of a stir or left people speachless. It is quite typical of some old Australian bonsai material that was grown without a lot of forethought back in the 50s and 60s. Often "rules" were ruthlessly applied and some horrendous errors were made. As a demonstrator and at workshops you often come up against difficult material and I love working with them.
This was my first major restyle of a Mugo and I have been quite happy with the results. Also horticulturally it has responded fantastically to the fertilizer and trimming regime.
Maybe all is not lost; maybe we should ask people to point out what they think are the problems with this bonsai and various bonsai, ie Critique but not criricise the tree. It would help the more junior bonsai members tremendously.
I have already written the article and it is ready to post but it would give people a chance to make up their own minds before I show what I did and intend to do.

Grant

[Jon Chown]

Grant, if there is one thing that I have learnt during my association with on line forums it is that trying to comment and style from 2 dimensional photographs is most times fraught with danger as I learnt again just recently when I commented on a members tree and then actually viewed the same tree the followin day only to realise that my on line comments were completly useless with respect to the actual tree. However in the spirit of starting the discussion going, here is what I think I see in this tree.

Because there are several roots high on the LH side of the trunk I believe that I would change the potted angle by around 90 degrees to the left as in the photo.

New trunk angle.jpg

From this point the available branching is a bit vague but the first LH branch would require a severe bend upwards and the new apex would come from the cluster of branches right wjere the trunk takes a bend to the left. Possibly another jin here to link with the one below on the other side.

New apex and trunk line.jpg

The floor is open for others comments and I will look forward to seeing what you actually achieved.

This shot may make it easier for people to see the tree in one viewing.

Grants Mugo - four sides.jpg

Jon

[Grant Bowie]

Great, thanks Jon. Yes assessing bonsai from a photo can be difficult but I am glad you have had a go.
I was happy enough with the potted angle but the configuration of the branches, especially a lack of front branches, and excessive height were the problems I focussed on.

Grant

[Leigh Taafe]

This is what Robert Stevens came up with as an option.

Mugo-Leigh%20Taafe-2.jpg

Cheers,
Leigh.

[Asus101]

That is pretty sweet.
I was looking at it, and thought the branches needed to not only be thinned, but also lowered. A pine of age should bow at the lowest branches and slowly conform to a more horizontal position as they get higher.

That design there works very well with the current trunk, it sorts out the appearance of bar branches and what appears in the photos as rather busy foliage pads.
it also hides the uglyness of the trunk and its "S" styled curve.

I think Leighs posted design really does make an ugly tree, rather graceful.

[Bretts]

Go Robert

[Grant Bowie]

Yes, I really do like the design by Robert Stevens and the next ugly almost 60 year old Mugo pine I get from anywhere I will do something like that.

The root system would not be able to be altered too much by changing its angle, probably only by burying it a bit lower in the pot. Hence like Robert I think the angle of the trunk is OK and just have to live with the roots as they are.

I have gone in a different direction design wise and will now post the article and photos on a new progression series.

Grant