Windswept Kunzea.

[boom64]

Hi All , Finally found some time to trim up a small Kunzea that I have been working on. Happy with the branch shape and length of most. Aiming to use only cut and grow in the future to work in some sharp angles. Posting up to get some feedback from A.B.. As I think it is a pretty hard style to master. Thanks in advance John.

[melbrackstone]

I remember being told that you need to choose whether your tree is being moved by a breeze, a gust, or a gale....and work from there...

This is a lovely tree, I wish it were mine!

[anthonyW]

Well done John, like how you are always challenging, another beauty mate.

cheers Anthony

[MJL]

You're a star John. I've said it before but your trees are distinctive; rugged yet flowing and telling a story. I can always picture them in a natural setting.

As you asked for help - I played with the photo and wondered what a slight rotation to the right night look like. See below.

WINDY.jpeg

In truth, I'm not sure if it helps. Perhaps it moves that first branch off horizontal a tad? Also - perhaps deadwood may help in future but I think the branches would need to thicken up first so any deadwood is substantive enough to last.

Who am I to advise though. You've got it covered.

[SquatJar]

I love the branch movement. Especially in the top half of the tree.

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

I love the branch movement. Especially in the top half of the tree.

I agree - the branch lines are wonderful! Maybe [eventually] sacrifice some of that foliage for a few "sticky" jins?

[Pearcy001]

Great job as always boom.
Personally I find this tree conflicting. The branches flow left but the trunk flows right. If the winds were strong enough to grow the branches to the left like that the trunk would have also followed suit to the left?
Hard to give opinions from a single 2D photograph, but IMO I'd consider Either removing the two lowest branches (the main bottom branch and the branch inside the curve?) And redirect the remaining foliage to the right - won't leave much lower branching but. Other option would be to stand the tree further up Anto clockwise so the trunk then flows left naturally - but this would probably also need to lowest branch removed due to the angle change.
Just food for thought.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

[Pearcy001]

Rough virt of the second option I supplied (My preferred)

Cheers,
Pearcy.

[boom64]

Thanks for all the feedback ,really appreciate everyone's comments .Angles ,jins all great ideas.
WOW Pearcy ,really great options .Interesting concept of trunks going with or against the wind flow. I have another big Tree that everything flows in the same direction.. .The virt looks fantastic, funny I would never think to go with that type of design. Thanks for taking the time and artistic work. I know myself I enjoy all different ideas.
Cheers John.

[MJL]

I must say - now that I am looking more closely at the windswept form and understanding the difference between my imagination and what actually might happen in nature ... Pearcy's virt is a beaut. I saw many similar trees yesterday. Whether it be how it is currently styled or Pearcy's virt - you have a ripping tree on your hands there John.

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

Although Percy's vert makes sense - for me this change would make Boom's tree lack its current drama & lose dynamics.
If the tree looks good, then it looks good.

Picture of windswept Hawthorn below with lower trunk direction blown heavily to right. Seems some branching is still capable of growing back against that flow and even upright - with alternate wind direction possible due to its locality on cliff edge?

Perseverance in the face of adversity tells a wonderful story.

Hawthorn.jpg

[Pearcy001]

Picture of windswept Hawthorn below with lower trunk direction blown heavily to right. Seems some branching is still capable of growing back against that flow and even upright - with alternate wind direction possible due to its locality on cliff edge?

Perseverance in the face of adversity tells a wonderful story.

Agreed KC&R!
In no way am I saying every branch should flow the same direction as the trunk in a windswept tree, that can look as unnatural as any other style created in bonsai. Personally I think a tree looks more natural and realistic if windswept branches flow in all different directions as you say, but I think to be more realistic branches should be shorter on the side that is being hit by the wind, being longer on the opposite.

Sorry if this has hijacked your thread Boom! Although good to see it's gotten people thinking and voicing their opinions across a couple of threads.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

good to see it's gotten people thinking and voicing their opinions across a couple of threads.

Yes - ain't that a wonderful thing!