Japanese Maple forest.... two into one?

[rodm]

Wow. Just love it excellent work. Yes beauty IS in the eye of the beholder. Will be beautiful when the foliage appears
Cheers RodM

[boom64]

Looking great MJL ,has a real gnarly look about it.. The new big tree on the right is a winner. Looking forward to updates. Cheers John.

[GavinG]

It will certainly become better with age and care, keep with it. I'm curious about the story - you have two paths that neither meet nor diverge, and two sets of people, one of whom seems to be spying on the others. For me, the two very similar paths divide my attention, which may not be harmonious, but if you have a particular meaning in mind, that could be interesting.

Best of luck, keep posting.

Gavin

[Raging Bull]

Looks great MJL!! I'm looking forward to seeing it when it's in full leaf.
Cheers, Frank.

[MJL]

Thanks for the responses everyone - much appreciated and it’s very encouraging - I think I’m on the right path.

It’s cold this morning in Melbourne!! I’m somewhat glad my new creation is not in leaf.

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[MJL]

It will certainly become better with age and care, keep with it. I'm curious about the story - you have two paths that neither meet nor diverge, and two sets of people, one of whom seems to be spying on the others. For me, the two very similar paths divide my attention, which may not be harmonious, but if you have a particular meaning in mind, that could be interesting.

Best of luck, keep posting.

Gavin

Hi Gavin,

Thank you for your thoughts - your observations reflect my mind; I too am a bit divided.

I’ll try to explain. The path on the left is core to the design; helping to accentuate both the drop off in land height and visually assist a rule of thirds view/scalene triangle view.

The path on the right.... hmmm less so... really, like the moss - added to keep soil in place, mainly! That said, I think it helps create a sense of scale too - there’s a lot of trees; it breaks the volume.

On the figurines - a purposeful element. I am trying to reflect my view that nature can be enjoyed with friends or place of solitude and wonder. The man on the left is with the group in the right - he’s just gone for a peaceful wander.

Cheers,

Mark




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[MJL]

6am .... a coffee...a forest in need of its first hair cut of the season.
Grand final day... why not pass some time in the garden before a day in front of the TV.

Here’s a front and back shot before the barber arrived....

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Then a haircut

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Looks ok - and yes, I was surprised that one of my new additions has a a different colour leaf .... I was told it was the same ... but no big deal, I think I like it and if not ... I will remove it in due course.

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[MJL]

And one more .... children of the forest. Cuttings from the barbershop.

Some rooting hormone and under a plastic cover - I reckon a few will flourish.

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[MJL]

I trimmed this Japanese maple forest at the end of September. Just a quick couple of pics to update this season’s growth. A front view and then either side for something different.

My philosophy with my young forests (this and others) is to treat every tree individually- there’s a lot- but also each tree in the context of its close neighbours and the forest as a whole. Being so young-if I make a mistake here and there - no big deal - everything seems to sprout at will. In the main it’s about keeping tops under control to push growth down. And keeping new growth under control to encourage ramification over time. Patience ...

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Bonsai teaches me patience.

[TimS]

Really great work here mate, i'm thinking to use some of my 300 seedlings for a mixed maple forest assuming they survive so your photos and info are a great reference for people thiking of trying this kind of thing.

Keep up the good work!

[anthonyW]

Looking good Mark, both bare and dressed and very inspirational may I say, i do like your pot/tray very fitting.

cheers Anthony

[MJL]

Thank you TimS and Anthony W - your comments are much appreciated.

I must say - as a relative newcomer - I do appreciate it when I get constructive feedback that helps me learn and positive feedback like this that makes me think I am on the right path.

I have said before - I am hoping, with my limited but expanding experience, that I can help new growers/hobbyists realise that they can create something akin to Bonsai in a relatively short time. While we learn and are inspired by the great and skilled artists and their wondrous trees - the gap between brilliant older trees and new stock can seem like a river too broad to cross so ... people give up. Hopefully my pre-bonsai are part of that bridge and people can see reasonable results are achievable.

Thanks again.

Mark

[MJL]

Bl@@dy hell. Escaped a disaster here. Two weeks ago - before heading to the beach with the family I was rushing around and knocked this forest off its perch with the hose. It slid to the ground about 1.5 foot below ... and landed on another tree and then bark.

I was very lucky - pot did not break and the roots had knitted such that the whole setting just slid about 3” out of the side of pot. I quickly re-assembled and crossed my fingers.

Seems all is ok! Lesson for all - take care with pots on stands when watering!!

As I said, seems ok. Here are couple of shots in the sun this morning. I think it is now getting too late for further trimming this summer - new growth would be torched - at least I think - but happy to take guidance.

Also note how the dense leaves - shade the forest floor - hence the importance of rotating the pot often and trimming (when appropriate) to let sun in.

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Even though there light flare in this shot - I like it and it shows the contrast of the morning light inside and outside the forest.

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Enjoy the day.


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[Boics]

Keep it up MJL.

Just be conscious when you cut JM you will often get a lot of new buds at a node junction.
Don't let these all grow at the same time or you'll end up with some unsightly bulges - diligence is important in the growing seasons.

Defoliation is also possible when time suits, this will encourage some ramification with the benefit of exposing all these tree's for a better look!

[TimS]

You have some really nice forests going on! I really need to get started on one; i tried with Japanese Larch but i think i went too hard on the roots and i lost heaps of them sadly.