Restyling a 1970's Atlantic Cedar - A Progression

[Leigh Taafe]

I had this old cedar that was styled back in the 70's in the typical 70's way - left-back-right.....

Atlantic Cedar 1.jpg

Atlantic Cedar 2.jpg

Atlantic Cedar 3.jpg

Atlantic Cedar 4.jpg

The tree is leaning a little bit to the left from where it was originally styled. The tree was styled with flat pads of foliage. The tree has slanted abit to the left as it is overdue for a repot and has pushed itself out of the pot a little bit.

I have had the tree for around 7 years, or thereabouts. I have been trying to reduce my collection to trees that I am either able to use for my hire business, or shohin sized trees for my own personal collection. This tree has not been used for my hire business as it is slightly too large for most applications. I havent been able to sell it or swap it, so I decided to restyle it.

The Canberra Bonsai Society asked Grant Bowie and myself to do a demonstration on wiring and heavy bending techniques. Grant suggested that the cedar would be a good tree to work on during the demo. So, here is the progression, from yesterday's demo.

Atlantic Cedar 5.jpg

All branches removed except the first 3 - a left a back and a right.
The left branch has had holes drilled on the inside of the proposed bend to thin out the hard wood. It was then wrapped in bike tube rubber, then vet wrap, then wire. The wire was 4mm aluminium, I have attached a guy wire from the aluminium wire to a screw placed in the back of the trunk, this will help to hold the bend when I have the branch in the desired position.

This process took most of the demo time, so I promised the club I would complete the tasks and bring the tree back to the next months meeting.

Today, I found time before and after my afternoon bonsai classes to get a bit more done on the tree. Here is where I am at with it.

Front

Atlantic Cedar 6.jpg

Side

Atlantic Cedar 7.jpg

Back

Atlantic Cedar 8.jpg

There is a bit more wiring work to be done on the finer branches, along with some micro placement of branches. I hope to get to that the weekend after next (we have the Weston Creek Bonsai Show next weekend).

There is some growth required in the left hand side of the crown (time needed there)

I need to get my carving tools out, but will wait until the wood dries out, this could be 12 months or more.

Next Spring, all things going well, I will select a nice pot to put it in.

Feel free to comment.

I will add to this thread with any progressions.

[Tony Bebb]

Nice Leigh

Good vision and good work. Would've worked for Watto also. Nice direction and balance

Look forward to the updates and development

Tony

[kcpoole]

Nice Leigh and a vast imporovement

I cannot quite see the bends you made in the right branch, Can yo show us what you have done there as I cannot see thru the foliage

Is the trunk angle going to stay the same at next pot?

Ken

[NBPCA]

Hi leigh,

Already looking heaps better.

Looking forward to seeing it at the next CBS meeting.

Looks like you gave the apex quite a tweak!

Grant

[bodhidharma]

Interesting tree. I like how you made the comparison that it was styled in the 70s and it is easy to see the more modern take that you have made to it. It also demonstrates how far we have come in how we look at Bonsai styling. Much more interesting to look at.

[Leigh Taafe]

Thanks Tony - I was thinking of Watto's tree as I was working the left hand branch - kinda similar to what I thought he might do with his.

Hi Ken, I will get some close ups of the bends shortly. The angle may change in the next repot, it all depends on whether I can tweak the foliage to accommodate a more upright angle to the trunk.

Hi Grant, yes - that branch got quite a lot of treatment to get it up there!

Thanks Bodhi - yes, I agree. The tree looked OK, but kinda run of the mill ! I wanted to put my artistic stamp on it.

Thanks for your comments.

I am open to any comments if anyone else wants to chip in.

[Heshian]

Hi Leigh,

Great result. Can't wait to see it in person soon.

Muz

[Leigh Taafe]

Thanks Mario - you should come around more often - we are pushing the limits around my place! Plenty of old trees to work on.

Cheers,
Leigh.

[Sean M]

Was great fun watching you perform your magic during the demo. I think I'm going to have to chuck a sicky at work to make next months meeting!

[Andrew Legg]

Great work Leigh! Love the changes and the difference in feel! Good stuff!