Styling a Deciduous

[Aussie_Bonsai]

Hi everyone,
I got this tree a few days ago and have been trying to decide what to cut and what not to cut. I have since work out the the species is a fagus sylvatica(beech tree)
I thought i could use the help of some experienced people with styling the tree, as i'm not 100% confident with any of the designs i've come up with so far.

I was also wondering if its the right time of year to style a deicduous or is a different time of year better?


proposed look, although wondering if the gap between the 3rd and 4th branch is too big to make the tree look normal...?

2011-09-04 16.11.59dnhdfhndsdv.JPG

Any suggestions as to styling would be greatly appreciated

Regards,
Ben

[Andrew Legg]

Hey Ben,

Be careful that you don't make your Beech into a pine tree!!! This is what I tend to do with deciduous trees, so this is the pot calling the kettle black!

Id leave as much of that on as possible, trim to the yellow line and perhaps remove the arrowed branch to avoid the bar branching that it creates. If you look at the beech tree pic I got from the web (cool huh!) you can see the way primary branches tend to head upwards with secondary branches low down moving down and out; and in the middle, out; and at the top up and out.

Check out some of the contributions to my recent post : viewtopic.php?f=129&t=9381 I think there is some great advice from other members there!

Cheers,

Andrew

beech.jpg

beech2.jpg

[Paulneill]

Hi mate.

I would bite the bullet and chop it back to the first or second branch and train that branch upwards to become the new trunk line .The tree is far to lanky and a serious reduction is necessary to bring it into proportion . Dont forget there might be another inch or 2 of trunk under the soil line that needs to be taken into consideration . I would also remove the soil from the top of the pot down until you hit the surface roots depending on whats down there . but i wouldnt make any decisions on styling until u see the roots that will decide the front of the tree and may even need tilted to suit the root base if it has one.

[Bretts]

Hi Ben
I like Andrews ideas. Beech are a beautiful tree and you sure picked up a nice bargain with this one
Your tree reminds me alot of a beech tree featured in Bonsai Focus # 117, 5/2008 But it is a little larger than yours. The article takes the tree over 2 years and would be a great read for you if you can manage to get it.
Here is a pic of the tree in the article

bf beech.jpg

[Guy]

in the first photo it looks like a good chance to trunk chop (or air layer)at the low bar branches (creating some taper)tilt the tree to the left and use the left as the first branch and the longest right( which has interesting branching) as the new leader --dunno if these strike easily but the off cut would also have interest

[Aussie_Bonsai]

Thanks everyone for all the relpies.

I'll probably do what you all mention, about leaving more branches to create a more natural tree appearance. I am also going to try air layering the top off as that has some potential and isn't really needed in the tree design i have roughly planned.

What i need to know is when it's the best time of year to start air layering...
And any suggestions for creating better nabri(i think that what u call the trunk base ) as my tree seems to be lacking some taper and root definition.

Here's some photos of what i plan to do so far. I have'nt actually made any cuts as i've been too busy at the moment to.

2011-09-04 16.11.59dgbd.JPG

Future plan for air layer...

2011-09-04 16.11.59dvbgsfsssss.JPG

PLEASE help me with a way to make nabri(trunk base) better as it is very poor at the moment.
Any help is much appriciated

Regards,
Ben

[Grant Bowie]

Could you show us a photo of the lower trunk and any roots on the surface?

All the advice given by the other contributors was verrry good. Resist turning it into a pine style. They are very slow to grow and replace what you cut off in haste. Leave a stub when you cut back to avoid die back(sap withdrawl)


Grant