A big thank you to pup for posting the pictures up. I had considered posting some trees to test my theory but it did not seem to make sense to pick the trees myself.
First I just want to finish something from above. I posted my seiju elm here with Grants mainly as I thought if Grant was nice enough to let his tree be pulled apart here for me then I should do the same.
As I stated before I found the basic styling of my seiju tree very easy as it was great stock from Leong. I believe the side branch then back branch as easily fitting in with the branch rule as I understand it. I am still not happy with the back branch being only slightly higher than the first side branch, even if it is only for the future taper of the trunk as it developes. For a tree that annoyingly back buds everywhere through the craggly bark it is stubbornly refusing to give me a bud in this area.
I should try to clarify my theory about the rules again for anyone that has not followed this thread from the start. I say try because even though I believe what I am saying is very close to what others believe, it seems it is a big leap for most to take. It is often said that we should learn the rules as a beginner and then forget them as they constrict imagination.
I am just moving on from a basic understanding of the rules so I think about this a fair bit. I have started to believe that we don't need to forget the rules but as our understanding of them grows we don't forget them we just expand them. As we understand more they don't become restrictive but allow us to manipulate them better. I hope you can see that I am not stating that much different to what is commonly said. Instead of forget the rules I stay expand the rules. Instead of bend or break the rules I say manipulate the rules. I think we need to understand the rule and think about the essence of what the rule is doing. Below is a combination of statements Steven and myself have written about what the rule as stated from Brent Waltson's site which is where I have been getting the wording for each rule means to us.
First branch should be left (or right), second branch right (or left), third branch should be back branch.
The principle of this rule stated as being balance movement depth and uninterrupted view of the trunk.The side branches are to compliment or create the balance and movement of the trunk while allowing an uninterrupted view of the trunk while the back branch creates depth to the composition, a bonsai that has balance. Balance and aesthetic appeal is one of the keys to creating an impressive bonsai.
To think about this rule in the real world would be to think of the direction you would take a picture of a tree if you found it in nature.
I have tried to avoid this but it may make people feel better if I do rename the rules for this theory as design principles as it does make much more sense. The rules as we know them are tools to use to create a miniature tree look like a big one. If the rules(design principles) are ignored then the comosition will fail.
Just a reminder that it is appreciated to try to only discuss rules we have covered or even the one we are discussing as it is such a huge subject it will be very easy to get even more confusing.
Now the fun part of putting the branch design principle theroy to the trees Pup has posted.
It's too bad your in such a hurry cause the stories I could tell you, Bushels and baskets of stories, hole crates full of stories. But if you can spare a moment I will tell you one story.
Yet it does not follow the rule as it is written either.
Yet I still believe if I was any old bush walker I would take a picture of this tree without the first branch at the back. Knowing the rules allows you to understand what makes the best bonsai. It allows you to understand how to replicate what wee love about trees in nature.
