AusBonsai

This is a tree I have had sitting around for a while now, and finally got around to styling it.

This tree was the first tree I attempted to sketch as there were a few possible fronts and angles, and this is why it sat there for soo long without me doing anything, but I had a free weekend this weekend so I thought I would see what I could do. It didn't turn out anything like what I had drawn, which is good as I can't draw very well haha.

Here's a before (sorry it was on the phone, wasn't going to post this 1 up at all so didnt bother with a good pic) And how it looks now Hope you all enjoy, comments welcome

Kerrin

I love the transformation. Really nice work. Beautiful pine.

Looks good!

I like it
Small and powerful, but yet elegant

Ken

Nice little tree you have there!

Quick question, is it a little busy up the top? I'm in no way a bonsai expert and definitely not a critic.

And how the heck did you muster the courage for such a large trunk chop?

Cheers for the comments so far folks,

Jarad,

Not too bushy up top mate, don't forget that this tree has had no work so far on needle reduction so I am working with needles that are about twice the size of what they will become, so it will become more ordered in time.

As far as the trunk chop goes, I didn't do one, I just brought the branches down and placed them where they needed to go. Infact I only removed 2 branches that weren't needed in the final design, the rest of the tree is still there as pictured in the first shot.

Cheers and keep the comments flowing,

Kerrin

Thanks Kerrin,

That makes sense, can't wait to see it in a few years time with the needle reduction!

Would it be too much to ask for a photo from above to get an idea of the branch structure?

Hi Jarad,

Here's a shot of the top and the left hand side of the tree that will hopefully add some dimension to the style

(Yes I know the branch tips should face upward, on a first styling of a pine this isn't always achievable, and I'd rather have them face slightly forward than wire over the needles, when it buds out, they will be upward facing anyway)
Sorry about the lack of background folks, I just got home from work and I can't be arsed lol

Cheers,

Again feel free to keep the comments coming

Kerrin

You've got quite a bit of movement in the tree.

Would I be right in assuming that JBP are quite plyable?

Hi Jarad,

Sorry for the late reply, yep JBP's are pretty bendy

This tree pushed a bit more growth after initial work so over the weekend I made some slight adjustments and got it ready for winter Love to hear what everyone thinks

Kerrin

I am liking this one Kerrin, it has interesting movement and looks like it will fill out as the ramification improves. It ticks all the boxes! Do you plan to give it a pot this year or continue growing on.

Thanks Gerard,

I'm in 2 minds with this one,

On the 1 hand it's only just had the first styling done so probably needs to recover, on the other hand it's in a small nursery pot for its size so wouldn't need much root work. It's also in what looks to be 100% sand so I'm keen to get it into my mix, but I don't want to bare root.

Short answer, not sure..... Also have been looking and struggling to find the right pot

Kerrin

I am always frightened by the idea of bare rooting a conifer.
Sounds like it is sensible to remove a lot of the sandy mix and correct the potting angle at the same time.

Yep, and then there's always the temptation of getting it into a pot!

It seems happy in the sand, it just has woeful drainage. I am also very curious to see what the root ball looks like when I knock it out of the pot, I have this picture in the back of my mind of all the sand just falling away (I don't actually think that will happen, but ya never know)

Either way I will keep you all posted

Kerrin