Noting and inspired by both TerryB and Raging Bull (Frank) having recently posted some trident groups/forests, using Shubui supplied seedlings and indeed, a post from Treeman some month's back - doing what Treeman does best and setting the bar very high, presenting a lovely 5-6 year old Trident group.
I thought I should get in on the act. So, a few month's back, I ordered some of Shibui's offspring and bang, no sooner than I ordered and there were 50 or so seedlings dropped off at a recent show. (Fantastic service from Shibui.
)Further, I wanted different widths so that I could put trunks together that had a 5 year growth span from youngest to oldest. Again, Shibui delivered, of course.
In truth, I was a tad overwhelmed by the volume of trees that I had ordered but the width's I loved. Below are the photos from a few month's back until now.
I am posting it mainly for my record but also to illustrate something completely different for me. I generally prefer forests that are a little creative in design but I was struck with the very straight nature of all these trees and and so, I am using that! Creating a very formal, very upright placement of the trees...no fanning, little mounding ... hopefully the straight trunks will be a feature. Indeed, tree move with growth and I intend to keep straightening them to keep the parallel trunks. Or, hey they might look sh!t and I'll can eventually change the angles anyway. First, I’ll try something different.
For now they are planted en-masse - straight. Hopefully the future holds rigorously, straight lower trunks which will be a feature and a well ramified canopy - which will be a feature.
Also - I am pretty sure I can't manage a 50 tree forest ... or whatever the number is. So in future this may be broken into seperate and more manageable groups. Further, even though I just want to let these trees settle and grow... I think I had better pinch them back ... no light will be getting to the middle of that box of trees!
For now - more pre-bonsai - sticks in a styrofoam box ... and hey, even though I cut all the trees/seedlings back hard (many halved or more), all the sticks survived (bar one circled below)... there's always one.
I look forward to seeing your progression. 
