How would you improve these trees ?

[anttal63]

Just hold it for one second ! I wouldn't want that tree on my bench for nix! Said it before say it again... Crapp! with way to many issues to remember or respect. Chop it down and you have a great base to start again !

[Craig]

trust you

[anttal63]

trust you

[Chris Sirre]

Don't know about this Jarrod.

As the owner has not requested the critique I would not pass comment.

My thoughts at this time.

Tony

Hi Tony,

I'm with you. I wouldn't be to happy myself if I gave someone the privillage of showing of my collection and let them take some photo's and then to have them criticised in public.

I agree with Jarrod that is a very good excersise but maybe do it on one of your own trees.

Cheers,

Chris

[Chris Sirre]

Here is my Critique on this tree.



The other thing that has cropped up is people not wishing to comment on this tree as the owner has not requested it. Do you think that painters request all the critiques that occur to their work? Do you think sculptors’ try to stop people critiquing their work? This is another art form, and as such we need to loosen up a bit on critiquing trees. If you put your tree in a show/public arena do you really think people are looking at it and not critiquing it in their heads? Would you not rather hear the thoughts? And have a constructive conversation about the tree? I know I would. I would be happy to post up my own trees for this, I am probably my biggest critic, and not much of it is good. But it definitely makes me work harder to improve and grow nicer images.

Hi all,

I would like to ad something to my last post after reading this. I don't have an issue with critiquing tree that are in a exhibition or other public area as that is what you're refering to whith you comment on painters and sculptors. I have an issue with it because the tree you showed is in someones backyard by the look of it. Maybe the owner should have been asked first if it is ok to use his tree to criticise? Just my thought.

Cheers,

Chris

[Jarrod]

It may appear to be in soneones back yard however this is a permanent display, that is always open to the public in a small town called Kinashi. I think you are all looking and critiquing as being a negative, however I do not feel that it is!

[Chris Sirre]

It may appear to be in soneones back yard however this is a permanent display, that is always open to the public in a small town called Kinashi. I think you are all looking and critiquing as being a negative, however I do not feel that it is!

Hi Jarrod,

I think it's a very good tool to learn more. We use it in our courses as well and call it Judging. I'm only saying that you have to be carefull that when you put someones tree up here to be judged. The owner of the tree might not like that. I personally don't have an issue with it. You are more than welcome to put some of our trees up here to be judged. In matter of fact I will attach one now and you all can give us some feedback. Positive and negative.

Cheers,

Chris

[Ash Barns]

Hi Jarrod,
I think it's a very good tool to learn more. We use it in our courses as well and call it Judging. I'm only saying that you have to be carefull that when you put someones tree up here to be judged. The owner of the tree might not like that. I personally don't have an issue with it. You are more than welcome to put some of our trees up here to be judged. In matter of fact I will attach one now and you all can give us some feedback. Positive and negative.

Cheers,

Chris

Chris it's a bit too busy for my taste. The bottom right hand branch is surplus to requirement in my opinion.

Ash

[craigw60]

Hi Chris, your tree in my opinion needs hours of wiring in the twigs so the branches are spread to make a more uniform canopy and in steps rather than a series of balls.
I would also raffia the branches on the right side of the tree and move them so they flow with the main trunk rather than against it.
Its a tree with great potential
Craigw

[Chris Sirre]

Hi Chris, your tree in my opinion needs hours of wiring in the twigs so the branches are spread to make a more uniform canopy and in steps rather than a series of balls.
I would also raffia the branches on the right side of the tree and move them so they flow with the main trunk rather than against it.
Its a tree with great potential
Craigw

Hi Graig,

Thanks for that. I know this tree need more work done and that's why I choose this one to be critiqued. It was badly affected by the heat on Black Saturday but since we have moved to Mount Evelyn it has come back and looks healthy again. Now it's time for the next step. I'd like to see a uniform canopy as well and we'll start wiring soon. If you feel the need to wire some branches feel free to come down.
The tree was originally styled by Paul Sweeney.

Cheers,

Chris

[siddhar]

The tree was originally styled by Paul Sweeney.

Thought so, technically not your tree then Chris. Defeats the purpose of having one of 'your trees' critiqued then. Until then, you cant really appreciate that pain! If it was your tree, Im sure you'd understand what excepting a critisism is like.

[Chris Sirre]

The tree was originally styled by Paul Sweeney.

Thought so, technically not your tree then Chris. Defeats the purpose of having one of 'your trees' critiqued then. Until then, you cant really appreciate that pain! If it was your tree, Im sure you'd understand what excepting a critisism is like.

Hi Siddhar,

As I stated I said I will put up one of our trees as in the nursery's trees. The nursery was purchased from Paul Sweeney and therefore is it our tree, which was styled by Paul Sweeney. I'm not claiming to have have styled it. But I think we have had that discussion in on of the other threads on the forum. So feel free to share your critisism.

Thanks,

Chris

[siddhar]

Hi Chris, I guess Im asking for some honest reflections to this the topic of 'critiques'. We can confidently critique trees that are not our own, but that said, and as a Bonsai Nursery manager as you are. I guess a tree for critique from your personal collection would be more relevant and totally respected, as we will get a realistic understanding of your 25 years experience.

[craigw60]

Hi Chris, interesting to note which plant species were affected by the heat of black saturday, I found the dwarf picea to be the most damaged and some of mine are only just recovering.
Thanks for the offer to help wiring the tree but I will have to decline haha, I have more than enough to occupy me here.
Look forward to seeing the tree wired out, I like it a lot and think it can be a really nice bonsai
Craigw

[MattA]

Hey Chris, In general I avoid wire but its what this tree needs.

I really like hinoki's & the octopus feel to this tree, it appears to have good age & with plenty of work could be really something. The first thing that jumps out at me is a thick straight trunkline rising from the middle back & cutting thru thefirst left branch of the main tree. The root coming almost straight at you in the front is also distracting.

As well as bringing all the trunks into a cohesive whole I would look at grafting in some new shoots further back on old wood so some of them can be shortened in the future.

Look forward to seeing where you take it now you have nursed it back to health.

Matt