AusBonsai

I picked up this white spruce from work that was marked down. I was being sold as a bonsai as you can probably tell, but I'm not terribly happy with its current form.

I was hoping to shape it in a way as to emulate how they appear in nature as mature trees, but I think I may have to change my initial idea to something like literati.

I would like to keep this as a tall mame or short shohin style bonsai. Any advice on form or shaping would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Nathan



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Nathan

Nathan

I'm no expert but the main trunk lacks taper, adequate branching and is quite knobbly (technical term) at the top where several branches are growing from the same place.

I think the first branch on the left is where you will find your tree. Much more to work with down there.

I will qualify my comments by saying I find it very difficult giving advice from photos. This one is pretty clear tho.

Theo

Hey Theo,

I was thinking of chopping that main trunk for those very reasons you stated. Is chopping the trunk (and perhaps wiring the other branch) something I should consider doing now, or should I let the other branch 'fill out' a bit more before doing so?

cheers,
Nathan

These trees are quite flexible. I would bend the main trunk on the right as far down as it will go. Use it as a sacrifice branch. Leave to grow out to the right. I would then wire the left hand side to what ever style you are intending in the future. At this early stage you can also look at your potting angle if you want to create even more movement from the roots up. Watch the wire doesn't cut in.
Cheers
Kirky

KIRKY wrote:These trees are quite flexible. I would bend the main trunk on the right as far down as it will go. Use it as a sacrifice branch. Leave to grow out to the right. I would then wire the left hand side to what ever style you are intending in the future. At this early stage you can also look at your potting angle if you want to create even more movement from the roots up. Watch the wire doesn't cut in.
Cheers
Kirky

An interesting take on it, I really like your suggestion, Kirky.

If I were angle the tree in the pot, which way would you suggest? I was thinking of angling the tree to the right (the same side as the bend in the trunk), almost creating a "cascade" with the main trunk.

Cheers,
Nathan

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Hi Nathan, yes I would angle it to the right. That way the left currant branch would be your new leader. By angling o theright it would also lift the left branch. This would allow you to develop it as an informal upright or a Literati if you wanted.
Cheers
Kirky

KIRKY wrote:I would angle it to the right. That way the left currant branch would be your new leader. By angling to the right it would also lift the left branch. This would allow you to develop it as an informal upright or a Literati

Here's a picture of the angling and the wiring of the main branch


Here's what I intend to keep and discard


180° view


Constructive criticism of my wiring job is most welcome. And another question if I may: would it be advisable to discard the unwanted branches now, or wait to the next season to see what else may come through?

Cheers



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I like what you've been able to do with this stock. I would wire and bend your new leader and branches, and not cut them... At least yet.


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Hi Nathan, before you remove anything, what is your future plan for this tree? You have now delt with the offending main trunk. It can in the future be removed or jined. Now you have to decide on a future style, and wire accordingly towards that goal. So either sketch or talk us through it for further opinions. Remember the more you leave on it at this stage, the quicker the trunk will ramify.
Cheers
Kirky

KIRKY wrote:what is your future plan for this tree? You have now delt with the offending main trunk. It can in the future be removed or jined. Now you have to decide on a future style, and wire accordingly towards that goal. [...] Remember the more you leave on it at this stage, the quicker the trunk will ramify.

Hi Kirky,

I have two other white spruce I plan to put with it as a three tree landscape in an informal upright style. I had not thought about turning the unwanted trunk into a jin, but I'm thankful for the suggestion! Based on suggestions on this thread, I have styled the other two trees to deal with the unwanted trunks. I'd be happy post photos when I get the chance.

Cheers,
Nathan



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adge0001 wrote:I like what you've been able to do with this stock. I would wire and bend your new leader and branches, and not cut them... At least yet.

Thanks adge0001! I was thinking of wiring the new leader once the cutting paste had dried. As I mentioned above, I'm putting this one with two others, so I'll need to wire it differently to the way I had originally intended. I'll post photos again once I've wired it.


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Hi Nathan, I would not cut anything off at this stage, except for any bar branches. I would wire the 3 trees to harmonise with each other now. You can cut back later once you put the trees together. Then you will be able to see what needs to be cut. Keep posting future updates, will be good to see how it all developes.
Cheers
Kirky

KIRKY wrote:I would not cut anything off at this stage, except for any bar branches. I would wire the 3 trees to harmonise with each other now. You can cut back later once you put the trees together. Then you will be able to see what needs to be cut.

Hi Kirky, thanks for that advice. Would you recommend potting the three trees together now, or wait till next season?

Two of the trees have their main trunk bent, so I would either need to position them strategically, cut the trunks now, or keep them in their separate pots for the time being. Here’s a photo of each individual tree for reference:

Twin trunk


Bent trunk #2


Original tree bent trunk #1

Cheers,
Nathan.



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