Euonymus atropurpureus..Spindle tree, clump or raft style.

[bodhidharma]

I have decided to keep and develop this Spindle clump as it gave me brilliant Autumn colour this year. It was collected 5-6 years ago and put on the back burner or the "to do " basket. Struck by its wonderful colour this year it has climbed up the ladder and i will spend time on it. It will go into a trainer pot and i will experiment with defoliation and bud pinching to develop some secondary and tertiary branching. it is "unusual" enough to warrant me spending some time with it. It has not been repotted since collection but it will be interesting to see how quickly it develops once i start spoiling it. I have not seen one developed and i think this will be a decent Bonsai in the future. What do people think of the multi trunk look

[Boics]

Looks better than most of my Bonsai Bodhi.

Why though do I get such a resounding "contrived" feeling when I view this specimen?
I daresay this feeling would be lost with more substance (branches and leaves).

[bodhidharma]

Why though do I get such a resounding "contrived" feeling when I view this specimen?
I daresay this feeling would be lost with more substance (branches and leaves).

I personally think most starter trees look a bit contrived, especially after the first branch placement. Lets give it another ten years.

[time8theuniverse]

I'm not sure about the 3rd trunk from the left. I think it would be better without it in the composure so you get a negative space in the trunks and avoid the fan like array. It makes the other trunks seem straighter.


Did you get a photo of the inspiring colour?

[Josh]

I'm not sure about the 3rd trunk from the left. I think it would be better without it in the composure so you get a negative space in the trunks and avoid the fan like array. It makes the other trunks seem straighter.

That was the first thing I thought when I looked at it. The 3rd branch seemed to stick out of place to me. I like where your headed with though Bodhi

Josh

[MoGanic]

Removing a single trunk would leave an even number of trunks in the composition and IMO this detracts from the overall aesthetic.

Once thing I would note is that the third trunk from the left has branches moving towards the back of the tree despite the trunk placement being more towards the front of the tree. The second from the left follows the same pattern in reverse. The combination of the two makes that section look a little odd in photos. I think that when viewing the tree in person, this would be less obvious.

It works well though and the only suggestion I can bring myself to make is to add some depth by moving one or two trunks more towards the back or perhaps the front (obviously would be better judged by you). Again a photo probably isn't the best way to judge on my part.

A wonderful composition D, thank you for sharing.

-Mo

[bodhidharma]

Removing a single trunk would leave an even number of trunks in the composition and IMO this detracts from the overall aesthetic.

Once thing I would note is that the third trunk from the left has branches moving towards the back of the tree despite the trunk placement being more towards the front of the tree. The second from the left follows the same pattern in reverse. The combination of the two makes that section look a little odd in photos. I think that when viewing the tree in person, this would be less obvious.

My thinking exactly Moganic and it will remain with the seven trunks. 2d photos make it hard to understand the setting and looks a whole lot different in the flesh. I will make further decisions down the track once the branches have developed more.

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

[time8theuniverse]

Is there agreement that the 3rd trunk from the left is one of the problems? If it is the agreement what are the option other than removal.

I honestly didn't bother to count the number of trunks, as for me I don't personally place the odd number of trunks ahead of the over all design. Is there room for branches lower down the trunk in the design?

[bodhidharma]

Did you get a photo of the inspiring colour?

No, missed the opportunity. Plenty of time in the future though.

Is there agreement that the 3rd trunk from the left is one of the problems? If it is the agreement what are the option other than removal.

It has been my experience and learning to not be hasty in decisions of importance. The tree will be developed with seven trunks and ramification will play a huge part. If, after ten or so years of ramifying and if i think it has no place in the composition then i will consider other options. It is easier to cut later rather than to grow later after realizing your mistake. Another consideration is a five trunk group if the composition is to crowded after branch building.

[bodhidharma]

O.K, this tree is being posted as more of a record keep really. I moved the front to the back, as in leaf, it looks better. The colour is lovely and the leaves have reduced with this years growth (no defoliation.) I have a lot more branching to wire as it goes along its merry way. Stilled undecided on how many trunks it should have.

[Jason]

Wow, coming along nicely bodhi! Really love that colour

[Neli]

Nice color...but I am wondering what style it is? Lots of potential.

[shibui]

I'd call it clump style Neli. Is there such a style?
What about Multi-trunk?
Does it matter what category a good tree fits in?

Bodhi, we have a very similar looking plant coming up along our roadsides here but I have concluded it is Euonymus europaeus. I'm interested to find out what leads you to conclude E. atropurpureus for yours? - just in case the ones here are the same.

[matty-j]

It has been my experience and learning to not be hasty in decisions of importance. The tree will be developed with seven trunks and ramification will play a huge part. If, after ten or so years of ramifying and if i think it has no place in the composition then i will consider other options. It is easier to cut later rather than to grow later after realizing your mistake. Another consideration is a five trunk group if the composition is to crowded after branch building.

VERY wise words mr bodhi!

This is a lovely tree and I look forward to how you develop it in the future!

Cheers
Matt

[EdwardH]

Great colour Bodhi. The seven trunks give me the impression that they shall be a bit crowded once the branches start to fill in however that may not be the case if the leaves reduce significantly. Time shall tell. The only negative I have is that most of the trunks look pole like for the first third of their length. Obvious when in the winter shot, not so much when in leaf. As I have no experience in clump style this may be how they usually grow Regardless I am looking forward to see this tree progress.