What would you do with this?

[billa]

Hi!

Judging by the level of skill in this tree and judging my overall skill level, personally, I would just sit and stare at it...get lost in its beauty and thats about the only thing I could do! Sorry not very constructive I know, but I just thought I'd put in my two bob!

[Jow]

Ok,

So like i said earlier, i had already worked on this tree before i started this thread.
I understand that how i have styled the tree may not be to everyone’s tastes but i think the comments in this thread highlight the many different ways different people approach a similar problem. Now i am first to admit that this tree is still a little away from the norm of most bonsai but that is what drew me to the material in the first place. I could still cut off the first branch and go with a single trunk tree in the future but i think that the end result would not be something i would be interested in growing in my collection. Personally, i like trees that are a little unusual and the longer i grow bonsai the more i am drawn to these styles.

Wierd-after.jpg

So now you have all seen the result what do you think? I have pretty thick skin so feel free to comment/ criticise truthfully.

Of course it is still very early in this trees life and it needs to do a whole heap of growing and filling out. It is still not perfect but i think it is on a better path than what it was on.

[DavidN]

Hey Jow,
I do like it actually as it is different and is what I said initially about the tree. Glad you styled it as such and kept that branch. It is very unique now. I espcially like the movement to the right now with the main trunk.

Nice work.

David

[Guy]

That big right hander is big enough to be a trunk--is too high to be a twin(unless you tilt the whole lot majorly to the right if the roots allow it)and too big to be a branch--if these air layer at all I'd do that and have a nice shohin and an interesting slanting or semicascade

[Gerard]

The foliage on the main branch seems to have improved dramatically, I am not sure if this is new growth or just re-arrangement of foliage but it is looking good. The movement of the apex to the right works well.

[Jarrod]

thats ok, thought about grafting all the way back to the trunk on the heavy one? and them bringing it down a bit further? make it look like this amazing tree which is at the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)

[Edward Scissorhand]

Hi Jow, nice tree. I reckon its crying out to be a windswept. If you leave the big right hander and jinn the main trunk line, probably halve it as well. Try and cave it towards the big righthander so it looks like its been eroded by the wind. Then place it onto some angled slab so it looks like a lonely pine being smashed by the wind.

[anthonyW]

Hi Jow, to me its looks like you have slipped a bit of viagra into the pot mate, or maybe alot looking at the size of thing, wow thats strong and big, hi Edward don't worry about the roaring forties coming off Great Australian Bight, your too bloody late mate, its already got one.

Ok you did say you are thick skinned and wanted the truth.Alright lets be serious now. Looking in your excellent blog in Bonsai of Japan,nursery Kinashi there is just some of your inspiration right there, for straight trunk same branching as yours, admittedly yes a much stronger trunk but your tree has pretty handy trunk, all is needed is a lot stronger pads, yours is very under worked, the image in your blog is No 4054 once again straighten the top put the power into the pads. The second image is No 4052 once again look past the trunk put the power into pads with a slight slant and the top part as is,it is already set up for set for the slant, this then with a little bit of lowering of the left branch sets up the image nicely, hope that helps a bit Jow and plenty more inspiration in there. Thanks for the look and fun.

cheers Anthony

[hugh grant]

i really like it actually. its different and unique which is great! also youve utilised a strong characteristic of the tree which i believe is important and it adds alot of interest so id keep it and run with it. the tree looks balanced so it works well in my eyes.
great work, id personally love to own this tree just for the challenge.

Hugh

[Jow]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

Jarrod, i know that tree well and have neen to visit it twice now. I have always been interested in its form and i guess it probably part of the reasons i was attracted to this tree in the first place.

Viagra? so thats what the magic ingredient in super thrive is... One interesting point you made appart from the interestin comparison you saw in the tree was that the foliage or tree was under worked. You are exactly right. This tree has only been out of the ground for 3 years. It has made a whole lot of progress in that time but still has a long journey to go. What i have found with pines is it is often best to leave yourself with a heap of options in the developement stages as a wrong cut early on can lock you out of options down the track as the bonsai develops.

As for a wind swept, i can see why you might suggest it and it would probably make for a good example of that style. That being said, i dont like windswept bonsai for the most part and wouldnt keep it on my benches oin that style. I find that i need to really like my trees in order to be motivated to give them the work they deserve so i guess i wount go with wind swept.

The tree is what it is now. it will be interesting to see how it grows over the next few seasons, i might even try a few grafts this spring to discuise the heavyness of the first branch a little.

Thanks for all the comments, it has been an interesting discussion that highlights the many ways to approach a problem.

I have picked another tree to discuss future styling HERE

Joe.

[Jow]

HI All,

Today i finally got around to doing some work on this tree. I had worked on the first branch as part of a demo at Yarra Valley bonsai club a few weeks ago but didnt get the whole tree wired. Today in between re-potting i managed to get the rest of the tree wired up.

There is some more info HERE from its last styling. I think it is starting to really begin to grow into the image i am after.

A few more years should see it getting close to exhibitable, i just need to fill out the head and branches some more. Fingers crossed.

IMG_4392.JPG

I am going to shop for a new pot tomorrow so hopefully i will have time to pot it up aswell.

Thoughts?

[Jow]

Another update.

IMG_5878.jpg

[MoGanic]

Hi Jow,

Looking good mate, the work with the bend looks to have improved the tree significantly.

I will say however, that the first branch is still too heavy in my opinion. I would use the second branch as the new leader and build the tree from there (either layering the rest off or simply removing it).

Building the tree from this branch adds movement, taper and more importantly would allow the incorporation of the thick first branch as a jinn.

Tilting the tree to the left, respective to the pictures provided, would point the first thick branch skyward and the canopy could then be styled accordingly around this. The bend you have currently placed would also aid this process.

Note that once this is a Jinn, you will be able to utilise carving techniques to reduce the weight of the branch, giving a more elegant feel to the overall design.

Still a good tree the way it is and I'll be watching it's development .

Thanks for posting mate,
Mo

[Olivecrazy]

Plzzz leave the lower right branch this tree looks great i really think that if the branch is removed it will look like so many other pines out there. This tree will stand out from the crowd of other pines because its unique an will be appreciated for what it is in many yrs to come great work i really like it

[hugh grant]

Jow i will say once again, i absolutely love this tree! definitely one of my favorites. its unique but very well executed and the bend in the branch you have made has added an extra sense of naturalness. the tree looks very natural in my opinion and has an almost rhythmic feel to it.

stunning tree mate

Hugh