Your thoughts on which front?

[shibui]

This is another of my tridents in training. This one has a pretty impresive trunk but I haven't decided which front to use yet. Have a look and lets have your opinions.
Before pruning

repot trident large 1.JPG

This front lacks character but I see 2 possibilities. After removing most of the superfluous branches and twigs -

repot trident large 4.JPG

and

repot trident large 5.JPG

On this side there are well placed shoots near the apex to allow the top to be reduced a little. Either of these shoots will allow the apex to move forward a little more as well.

While repotting this one I realised that the existing roots will cause some problems with potting this tree using either of the new possible fronts because a couple of the roots were left a bit long when it was dug from the growing bed. I shortened one of them back about 4 or 5 cm to allow future potting into a bonsai pot.

repot trident large 7.JPG

[Tony Bebb]

Nice Maple Shibui.

I still like the first pic. The taper is better and a more natural trunk. That would depend a bit on how many of these babies you have, as I am sure you want some variation, but there are some bulky bits.

Are you approach grafting seedlings to fill out the surface roots?

Nicely grown.

Tony

[k2bonsai]

my preferance is the right.. it just seems to feel like a nicer flow and sense of balance.

[Hackimoto]

My preference is the right but turned slightly more to the right. Bit hard to tell when in two dimensions.

[Barry1]

I like the first one ! but it is hard to tell form photos

[Bougy Fan]

Number 1 is the logical choice but I would go with Number 3 for something different.

[anttal63]

Second option right for me is the one! Original as you say is un interesting, Left looks awkward. So yes the right side gives you a pleasant and natural stance with interesting movement, The apex is where it should be. Tridents dont mind having taper carved into them up top on small wounds and heal in a season or 2 at the most. Japanese Maple are good for this too. Thanks for sharing mate !

[bodhidharma]

Lovely trunk and would turn into a nice tree however you work it. And, like anything, everyone will see it differently according to likes and dislikes but i see number three as the nicest viewing angle. Probably my left brain talking.

[Steve Warren]

My preference is the right but turned slightly more to the right. Bit hard to tell when in two dimensions.

I am with Hackimoto on this one, seems to have a nicer flow. Impressive trunk either way.

Regards

Steve W

[shibui]

Looks like most think the right side option is the best for this and I agree. The left option is ok but in order to get the trunk tilted the roots on one side would have to be buried which would be a pity.
Right option lets the trunk slant slightly and still leaves the roots at soil level. As a bonus there are a couple of shoots near the top that will allow the apex to be shortened a little. It was for this option that I shortened that big root so the tree will be able to be positioned correctly in a pot when the time comes.

Yes tony, the little trunks at the base of the tree have been approach grafted to the base to give roots where there was gaps in the nebari. Those ones were placed last spring but have not yet joined properly to the main trunk so they will be left for another year to give them another chance. I'll try to put up another thread with some pics of the process I use.

Thanks for all your thoughts.

[shibui]

Here is the link.
grafting new roots