Squamata Cascade

[Leigh Taafe]

Hello,

I have been working on this tree for about 7 or 8 years. It was about 7 or 8 years old when I got it as raw material (ie a staked juniper).
It has only really been the last year and a half that I have decided to work on the tree a little more intensively.

Here is a progression of recent photos.

Cascade Juniper Leigh Taafe 1.JPG

Juniper Squamata6 - LT - 2010-9-7 - Small.jpg

Juniper Squamata7 - LT - 2010-9-7 - Small.jpg

Juniper Squamata8 - LT - 2010-9-7 - Small.jpg

JSP1 - LT - 2011-1-11 - small.jpg

004 - small.jpg

Here is the tree as it is today:

JSP Option1 - small.jpg

The tree looks quite good in reality, the fullness of foliage around the cascade gives it a lot of depth.

This foliage seems to clash with other pads of foliage when photographed.
My aim is to have a tree that looks good in reality, but also looks good when photographed.

The following pictures have had some branches removed using "Gimp" on the computer.
Let me know your thoughts.

JSP Option2 - small.jpg

JSP Option3 - small.jpg

JSP Option4 - small.jpg

[Leigh Taafe]

OK - seems I have had a technical error - the last 4 photos are identical - I will try and figure it out and post them again.

[The-Calli-Kid]

Hey Leigh, Great cascade!... I can picture it dancing amongst the clouds atop a mighty cliff, un-reachable by mere men!
Cheers for sharing

Also.. there are subtle differences in you last 4 pictures

Lucas

[Steven]

G'day Leigh, nice to see you again

I like your cascade and don't remember seeing it in your yard. Not surprising due to the large amount of nice trees you have.

Walter Pall recently posted the following picture of a similar Juniper that was shown at Noelanders Trophy 2012.

QDSC_9997w.jpg

It has a significantly larger head than yours which I think gives it a very stable and aged appearance. Just some food for thought.

Don't leave it so long between your next post mate

Regards,
Steven

[bonzaidog]

Hey Leigh!..Nice work! ..any thoughts on a smaller pot?, it seems to over power the feel and flow of the tree ..(imo) Cheers Mate ....Dog.

[bodhidharma]

A very well presented cascade Leigh. It will fill out over time beautifully.

[Leigh Taafe]

Hi Lucas,

You are right - the images are different. I don't need to fix them after all! As you can see, I blacked out some of the branches along the left hand side in order to avoid clutter in the photographed image. Any feedback on the different options?

I must admit, when seeing the Walter Pall cascade, the feel of the tree is quite similar, however, his is streets ahead in refinement.

Steven, I am slowly getting rid of unwanted trees and may find more time for this type of thing. This tree was sitting on the pre-bonsai side of the house, but probably jammed in amongst clutter of some sort !

Dog, this is just a training pot, once refined, the tree will be put in a nice plain cascade that is narrower and possibly shorter.

Thanks Bodhi - any preference for the last 4 pictures?

[Andrew F]

Beautiful cascade, nice pads, can we see it from the top if possible???

Thanks in advance.

[cuwire]

Hi Leigh

Actually I really like your you pot - apart from the 'fancy pants' legs it gives a distinct oriental feel and I don't think it overpowers the tree - the tree is still the focal point..

Did you put the major bends in early in the piece or did they form as it grew and if you selected and removed branches on the way when did you make those decisions.

Cheers David

[bodhidharma]

Thanks Bodhi - any preference for the last 4 pictures?

No 3 i think Leigh. A much more open look and a little more refined . I noticed the pot is leeching out white. i have the same problem with some of mine.

[alpineart]

Hi Leigh , that's a beautiful cascade . I almost gave up on cascades after loosing 2 huge junipers several years ago , radiant heat killed them both in a matter of weeks . My preference is no 2 just a little fuller on the second tier, i will be studying this tree closely .I need some travel time to get back to Canberra soon and chase a few of you fella's up , got to get to Dayleford first . Gotta walk before i can run unfortunately .

Cheers Alpineart

[cuwire]

radiant heat killed them both in a matter of weeks

Hi alpineart could you explain the source of the radiant heat I assume reflected-- was it from the wall of the pot or elsewhere ?

Going to pot up a few Juniper cascades into taller pots this autumn and have not considered this problem.

Any advice great !

Thanks David

[Tony Bebb]

G'day Leigh

I like No. 4 photo. Separates the pads nicely to see the trunk, and also gives the first branch its own layer. Love the movement in the trunk.
As I showed you today I had another idea that I think would give the trunk more power. I would not change the trunk except for perhaps a little more movement at the end of the tail, but I feel the crown is a little dominant. You could reduce the mass, or even remove it and get the crown from where the first branch eminates. Can't see exactly where the other branches come from around it, and that would govern any decisions.

Leighs cascade.png

The virt is from the 4th photo and would have more character if you shaped the crown as you grew it. This is just the top of the existing crown moved over. Just a thought.

Tony

[Leigh Taafe]

Thanks guys - in a little bit of a hurry - I will find some time to respond to all of the new posts shortly.

Any other opinions/virts/ideas would be appreciated. Might try and get a few more images of different angles.

[Leigh Taafe]

Here are a couple of pictures from the top - I am sorry about the quality, I was up on a step ladder to take the pic and am afraid they didnt come out so well.

IMG_0063.JPG

IMG_0065.JPG

I will also have a 360 ready for you shortly.

It is great to be able to get some feedback and styling ideas, thanks for your help.