Literati Scots Pine - The Best Angle?

[Watto]

In May I attended a workshop with Joe Morgan-Payler and my subject was a Scots Pine. I am really pleased with the result (however the "Harbour Bridge" branch on the right had some discussion) and Joe and I discussed the best angle for the tree at the next re-pot.
I am interested in which angle that you prefer?

[tgward]

no.1 looks best to me-as for the harbour bridge branch - if you could get the branch over time to to leave the trunk at a much sharper angle down the trunk line instead of the upward curve-this could allow you to straighten(flatten) the branch a little-I think there is an "advanced technique" where you notch under the branch at the trunk to make the bend much easier -

[Mick B]

Have you thought about potting the tree on thee other angle. I think that may help. It will fix the so called "harbour bridge" I think.

[Mick B]

Just a bit more. You could stand the tree up so that its head is over the trunk base and rid yourself of the harbour bridge. Simpler and better?

[Ryceman3]

Hi Watto,
Nice pine. I think I would lean ( ... get it, lean ... ) towards Option 2 from your original 3 if it was mine to repot, I like the flow you get to the left with that angle.

Hope you don't mind, I did a quick vert of what I think Mick B is talking about above - I can see how this might also work too but I think it kind of relaxes the tension a bit by taking the apex back to centre, and I like the tension you get by having the apex offset. I thought it was worth putting up a pic for you to see though. I think if I did go with this view I would think about removing the harbour bridge - but that's pretty easy to say when you're looking at a 2D image.

Watto SP_01.jpg

Enjoy your dilemma ! It's a nice one to have.

[Jow]

Hi Watto,

With a bit more growth and some confirmation the branch we bent survives i would think the easiest way to deal with a problem branch would be to cut it off.

Something to think about.

Untitled-1.jpg

[treeman]

The first image is the best angle to me. And instead of removing the U branch, wire it up, or jin it and wire it up. It makes no sense to bring it down like that. One of the biggest problems in modern bonsai styling is that we are restricted by our own minds and by the images of other bonsai stuck in there. This is becoming more apparent to me with each passing day.
Just a suggestion.

[Gerard]

I would like to see the bridge removed, especially if you chose angle 4 where it forms a line with the red tape branch

[Watto]

Wow, thank you all so much. Your input has given me a number of very good alternatives all of which have merit. These have also made me think about some other possibilities.
When I repot (probably September) I will post the next pictures.
Thanks again.