Spruce

[Watto]

This Picea abies (Norway Spruce) was dug quite a few years ago with another one and in all that time I have really just given it a trim and kept it alive.
I do want to make a "real" bonsai out of it and I am seeking a little help if you don't mind? I think I need to reduce (or maybe even remove) the second trunk, and probably shorten the whole thing a bit as well. I'm thinking cut where the right hand trunk has a low major branch (from the photo titled current front), and then move that branch more upright.
Then wire to see how that looks, but I am open to any and all suggestions. It will however be done in the next week or two.
Thanks
Watto

[time8theuniverse]

Just get rid of one of the trunks. The straightest one (I don't know which one that is but it works as a general rule).

I think if you wire the "keeper" branches below the where the trunks fork first and then look for which direction the tree is heading before looking to far a head.

And after the trunk cut, then put in to a grow pot or back into the ground for a while. Leading to shortening the remaining trunk.

Just an opinion, if it helps so much the better.

[Boics]

I'm not so sure about getting rid of the second trunk.

My alternative view is that selective branch chops, thinning, wiring and secondary wiring will result in a very pleasing tree!
My concern regarding the 2nd trunk removal is that (from what I can see) you will be left with very few branches to compile a convincing tree?

[Watto]

I have never thought about removing a trunk completely, but that idea has some merit. The trunks seperate a long way away from the nabari and as such that it not "normal". I'll have a good look at that suggestion today.

[Watto]

Boics - that is an issue but I think I can wire some foliage from the other side to fill the gaps, whether that is convincing is another story.
Having a second, but smaller trunk on one side might solve both issues?

[lackhand]

I like the two trunks. Spruce grow like that all the time in nature, and it has a natural feel to me. If it were my tree I would keep both.

[Watto]

Thanks Lackland. It appears there is a range of ideas so far so thankyou.

[time8theuniverse]

Biocs is right about the removal of the "2nd" trunk , which ever one it is, leaving gaps in the foliage. That's why I think the tree would have to be reduced in height if you went that way with the tree.

And Lackland is right about twin trunks being a lot more common in nature than bonsai artist tend to think.

The reason that I went straight to cutting for this tree is that I couldn't see the story in the tree as it sits now. Its a good looking tree that I wouldn't mind in my collection but it just seems to be missing some of the clarity in the finer detail of what landscape the tree is meant to fit into. Chopping might just be the easiest way out for me.

The hardest way out of the potted problem would be to put it in a group planting of spruce. I think it would work really well in that situation.

Its good tree which ever way you look at it just take the time to find what you want it to be and it will look great.

[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi Watto,

I am not familiar with this specie ( I had one for about 10 years, then it got stolen ), but would you consider a dead-top styling?

I am thinking of somehow keeping both trunk, but shorten off the dominance one by turning part of the top to dead wood?

Just a thought

Cheers.

[Andrew Legg]

Hi Watto,

It currently looks like a tree to me. Why would you want to change that. Neaten it up and bang it in a nice pot. Job done!

Cheers,

Andrew

[alpineart]

Hi Watto , its hard to tell from the pics but it looks more like a Picea Glauca Var' Albertaina . The foliage itself looks very fine , using your tools as a guide . Either way its a natural looking tree ,refining the pads that are there will most certainly take it to the next level .I have several small trainers , 1 of which has a twin trunk /leader , haven't hacked it yet as they are planned for a forest group .

Cheers Alpine

[Webos]

Looks like a fun little project watto. I like the 2 trunks. I'd be moving branches down like they've been doing with white pine at nbpca recently.

Adam

[Jan]

Looking at the “current front” image, I’d suggest chopping the smaller trunk at its second major branch junction (could be a trunk chop but I’d consider breaking it above the branch junction and carving/ jining/burning the stump to give a “pruned by nature” look).

I’d consider a “weighed down by snow in winter” bend to the lower branches, and eventually all the branches, (well, it is a Norway Spruce and they can do serious snow there!) and reduce their length to balance the tree. I’d consider reducing the thicker trunk to make the whole tree more compact.

When it came time to re-pot, I’d consider laying the tree over to the right so that the gap between the ground and that first right hand branch (on the smaller trunk side) was reduced. I’d keep the proposed new planting angle in mind when bending and reducing the branches.

Just a couple of thoughts on the first line that strikes my eye; a lot to work with and a lot of options to consider, it will be interesting to see where you go with this one as we can only see its image not the 3D tree so other options may present themselves to you. Whatever you do, enjoy ans we llook forward to seeing how it progresses,

Jan.

[Watto]

Well, its been a while since I have posted on this bonsai.
The quick story is that I considered all the comments and suggestions (thank you to everyone) and concluded that removing one of the trunks was the way forward for me, and in 2013 I did some major trimming and then wired the tree with aluminum wire.
I then put it away to rest and recuperate. Water, fertilizer and the occasional look was all it got for the next 12 months.

[Watto]

In 2014 it got a new pot but I was disappointed with the wiring. It was either my bad wiring or because I used aluminum so I put it down to the type of wire!
In 2015 I re-wired it completely and this time used copper.