A tall banksia

[lakepipes]

Hi squizz,

I'd also take the time to run a ground layer and sort out the roots, you will lose an inch or two in height (not a bad thing) but you will greatly improve the base of the tree and give it some flare at its widest point.
It would help with the overall look of what you are trying to do.

Mike

[craigw60]

Hi Squizzy, your banksia is a tree with huge potential and should be treated as such. The curves in the old part of the trunk are fantastic and will only improve with age. However the section at the top which you have grown is too strong and too straight, the curves at the top of the tree should be finer and more intricate than the lower trunk to give the impression of great age. The best way to achieve this look is to cut and grow and cut and grow over and over again, don't be in too much of a hurry to achieve your final look, strong young growth in the crown of the tree will only get stronger and as your skills improve you will regret not dealing with it sooner. Don't try to hide that section with foliage much better to be a little less hasty and grow the top slowly and with care.
Craigw

[Bretts]

Hi Squizzy,
I agree with Craig some what but I never meant moving that branch to cover the straight section it was mainly to balance and create a pleasing image which i believe you did a great job of in the picture after. In the previous pictures I didn't see it as a problem, but in the last picture it does look out of place and I agree it needs some change.
Not sure it needs to be removed and regrown though and that is not where i would start.
I would set up a trunk bending mechanism (several ways to do this) that would bend the trunk backwards away from the branch that is exiting the straight section. You could put a decent bend in this trunk in a very short time and that would be all it needs to stop your eye getting caught there.

[craigw60]

Brett is correct in saying you could wire or bend it, there is however a couple of pit falls using that technique.
Young strong growth on banksia snap very easily so at the most you could get one or two gentle curves and you won't resolve the taper issue.
By cutting and regrowing several times you can over time develop a whole series of short sharp curves which will age beautifully and at the same time develop some taper.
The crowns of banksia grow and thicken very quickly especially if you pot them in a very sharp diatomite based mix so you need to work them hard if you want fine twiggy growth. With this very hot summer we are getting in Vic I am pinching mine a couple of times a week.
Craigw

[Bretts]

I don't see an issue with taper but each to thier own
Edit: I also think one bend would be plenty.

[Scott Roxburgh]

I agree with Craig, it needs a cut to help with movement and taper.

Considering he has some of the best Banksia bonsai in Australia, I'd take his advice.

[Bretts]

[Mojo Moyogi]

I agree with Craig, it needs a cut to help with movement and taper.

Considering he has some of the best Banksia bonsai in Australia, I'd take his advice.

x2

Cheers,
Mojo

[craigw60]

Here is a cas. littoralis around 10 years from tube stock. I haven't really thought much about branching yet. The top has been bought up very slowly bit by bit
The tree is currently 50cm tall and I will add another 5-10cm in twigs.
Craigw

[Bretts]

I appreciate the pictures Craig.
I was thinking we hadn't seen many pics up from you lately but I could be mistaken. We all love pics

I am still not convinced that it is necessary to cut this one back. A literati bonsai does not need alot if any taper and don't see taper as an issue here. I still think that just a single bend in this straight section will stop the eye concentrating on this area.
The first picture of the banksia you show illustrates what my biggest fear would be chopping and regrowing the top and that is the bark of the banksia can contort into all manner of shapes/bulges and it could actually create some negative taper in the end.
But as Peter Tea would say, Since there are so many variables in Bonsai including the artist themselves, there would never be just one way to do anything.
Personally I would use a trunk bender if need be or just some nice thick wire and put a bend in that straight section for now. As time goes by the tree will change (especially with this species fast growth) so I would always be looking for a branch that may become a new top. But I myself would not chop the top of this tree at this point in time.
I would encourage Squizzy to enjoy working and displaying the tree as well as keeping an eye to the future.

[squizzy]

Ok

Firstly thank you for the great interest shown in this tree. I really do appreciate all the discussion. Brett has been on board from early on in this thread and has helped me a great deal with what I should be trying to achieve. I feel it has come a long way from its crappy beginnings. I think about half way through this topic I posted something along the lines of developing the top again so I can certainly understand where Craig is coming from. I now feel like I have to make a decision to either chop or work with what I have. I like the tree as it is and how I have styled it with Brett's guidance but I do tend to feel I need to do something with that top section. Will it be chop or bend? I don't know but as I always say Once it's cut you can't stick it back on. It might be wise to consider for a while. As Craig said. I need not be in a rush.

Thanks again for all the interest shown.

Squizz

[squizzy]

Please dont feel I am taking sides or preferences here. I am just exploring options methodically. I have posted a picture of this tree with the top pulled over somewhat with wire. I dont think the taper is as bad as it appears in the previous photos. I will look at this tree with the top pulled over for a few days now and see if something inspiring pops up. On another note. If we are talking issues with taper wouldnt the 150mm below the first branch be an issue aswell?

b.integ 110213.jpg

Squizz

[Bretts]

I would not be offended in any choice you made Squizzy but it is nice to know you care
I think both are valid choices and it is your tree so I see no reason to be offended.
I would recommend getting to know the literati style a bit better. It is an incredibly facinating style. The literati men took great pride in shocking the viewer with their designs. Yet they still needed to be balanced and elegant.
It is not easy to accomplish and that is why I think you should enjoy the tree as it is at least for now. Getting to know the tree is part of the fun.
I am only on the iPhone at the moment so I can't get a great look at the pic but what I can see looks great.

[squizzy]

JUst an update on this banksia.

I have pulled the top over a bit more again. I havent heard any cracking yet but I think I have pushed it right to the boundries.

The tree has filled out a bit more

P3110003 (2).jpg

I am beginning to like the shape with the top pulled over but am still unsure if I should keep it or cut off and start again??????????????????????

Squizz

[Bretts]

Job well done I reckon Squizzy. Only my opinion but I see no reason to chop the top and start again. The straight section is gone you have nice taper all the way.
All you need to do now is pick the brains of the banksia growers to ramify and reduce the leaf size. Remember literati is a very sparse style so you should not be aiming for a full look. That said you are now in ground breaking teritory so have fun playing with what works. From the looks of your work so far you are a natural