AusBonsai

I dug this maple from a garden in 2018 mostly because it had a weird top. Since then it was just been grown in a black plastic pot but this year I decided to put it into a bonsai training pot for the first time.
I am unsure if the long straight bit should stay or go, and if it goes how low should I cut. It will be grown on in this pot for this season and I will make some decisions later on, but please feel free to lead me in the right direction.

If you got rid of the long straight bit, what would you do with it? Layer it into two trees? Worth keeping for the moment, as it is certainly interesting.

Its an interesting decision, do you go with the unusual or stick with traditional?
I hope there are a few more opinions.

Watto wrote: ↑August 8th, 2022, 8:19 pm Its an interesting decision, do you go with the unusual or stick with traditional?
I hope there are a few more opinions.

There is no shortage of traditional around, It would be worth while trying to do the unusual. If it doesn't work out you can always revert to the traditional. It looks like it has suffered a significant trauma to end up where it is and is something you don't see often.

As PWC says there is nothing stopping you changing your mind later.

I guess another question would be, could you later it in such a way to still get the interest of the top and make the bottom traditional?

Options post layering the top could be some form of cascade? Maybe developed as a root over rock?

The root over rock you could under mount it on a rock?

I am having trouble opening my usual image editor, so hopefully this gives you the idea.

Unusual? Rock probably should be higher and more into the shape of the bend.

Watto, I would fight every impulse to make it something it is not… celebrate it’s unique growth. There are many examples of wonderful literati - particularly by Chinese masters that are works of natural art…. I’d revel in the oddity of it! Below is my concept and further, I’d be removing all growth on the left and concentrating on the right - minimal and sparse.


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I’d be looking to cut out the straight, taperless section as you suggest Watto (marked yellow), somewhere around the green and build the next section of trunk from there.
Literati styled trees really need movement/interest along with character and taper in the trunk as that is their main feature. Without it, they lack authenticity for me and aren’t convincing. I think that straight section just doesn’t provide you with the material to make a good one. Hardest style to get a nice bonsai in my opinion…
I realise I am just taking you down a more conventional route with my concept, but I think that base gives a great opportunity to do an “informal upright” well.
Easy to come up with plans for a 2D tree from some photos without seeing it in real life, you have a better clue with the tree in front of you so might be missing something. There might be a better front on the other side as I think the leader on the left below my suggested cut site moves backwards?? Maybe a tilt forward??
Lots of options… potential!

Watto wrote: ↑August 8th, 2022, 3:50 pm I dug this maple from a garden in 2018 mostly because it had a weird top. Since then it was just been grown in a black plastic pot but this year I decided to put it into a bonsai training pot for the first time.
I am unsure if the long straight bit should stay or go, and if it goes how low should I cut. It will be grown on in this pot for this season and I will make some decisions later on, but please feel free to lead me in the right direction.

Keep it weird!

I would do this if it were mine....

Great thread - here’s some inspiration from Zhao Qingquan - and the wonderful book - Literati Style Penjing … on the straight part on the left - perhaps hack it/gouge it/ carve it - like it’s been torn a ripper by a storm - done well, it may crate interest in that straight part and the the tree grows from the top, bending down to the right. Could be very cool, I reckon and nothing to lose - it you stuff it up - chop back to the traditional line later.



Great book - anyone - do yourself a favour and buy it along with the companion book by the same master: Penjing: the Chinese art of bonsai. Not to everyone’s taste - but my favourite, by the length of the Flemington Straight!


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Love the variety of ideas here. Have you got trunk splitters? You could try to add some interest to the straight bit with a bend?

Otherwise you could try selling it to Pfizer as a new “before” sildenafil mascot.

Very reminiscent of this famous maple at Aichi-en nursery. Definitely keep it weird.

The tree has been gracious enough to provide it so I say embrace the funk.

MJL wrote: ↑August 9th, 2022, 1:35 pm Great thread - here’s some inspiration from Zhao Qingquan - and the wonderful book - Literati Style Penjing … on the straight part on the left - perhaps hack it/gouge it/ carve it - like it’s been torn a ripper by a storm - done well, it may crate interest in that straight part and the the tree grows from the top, bending down to the right. Could be very cool, I reckon and nothing to lose - it you stuff it up - chop back to the traditional line later.




Great book - anyone - do yourself a favour and buy it along with the companion book by the same master: Penjing: the Chinese art of bonsai. Not to everyone’s taste - but my favourite, by the length of the Flemington Straight!


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These are interesting, and whilst I can appreciate the eccentricity of these penjing forms, I'm not convinced however the tree in question can follow this "vibe". The scale/proportion is completely different in these images compared to the photos of Watto's tree. The elongation and "sleekness" that is a major part of the aesthetic doesn't translate for me to a tree that is much more substantial, like the trident in question.
I can see it working though following a path similar to the tree @evan posted. Much closer to the actual proportions the tree has, there's merit in that.
I'll leave it in your capable hands Watto!