Restyling a 1970's Atlantic Cedar - A Progression
Posted: April 3rd, 2011, 6:37 pm
I had this old cedar that was styled back in the 70's in the typical 70's way - left-back-right.....
The tree is leaning a little bit to the left from where it was originally styled. The tree was styled with flat pads of foliage. The tree has slanted abit to the left as it is overdue for a repot and has pushed itself out of the pot a little bit.
I have had the tree for around 7 years, or thereabouts. I have been trying to reduce my collection to trees that I am either able to use for my hire business, or shohin sized trees for my own personal collection. This tree has not been used for my hire business as it is slightly too large for most applications. I havent been able to sell it or swap it, so I decided to restyle it.
The Canberra Bonsai Society asked Grant Bowie and myself to do a demonstration on wiring and heavy bending techniques. Grant suggested that the cedar would be a good tree to work on during the demo. So, here is the progression, from yesterday's demo.
All branches removed except the first 3 - a left a back and a right.
The left branch has had holes drilled on the inside of the proposed bend to thin out the hard wood. It was then wrapped in bike tube rubber, then vet wrap, then wire. The wire was 4mm aluminium, I have attached a guy wire from the aluminium wire to a screw placed in the back of the trunk, this will help to hold the bend when I have the branch in the desired position.
This process took most of the demo time, so I promised the club I would complete the tasks and bring the tree back to the next months meeting.
Today, I found time before and after my afternoon bonsai classes to get a bit more done on the tree. Here is where I am at with it.
Front Side Back There is a bit more wiring work to be done on the finer branches, along with some micro placement of branches. I hope to get to that the weekend after next (we have the Weston Creek Bonsai Show next weekend).
There is some growth required in the left hand side of the crown (time needed there)
I need to get my carving tools out, but will wait until the wood dries out, this could be 12 months or more.
Next Spring, all things going well, I will select a nice pot to put it in.
Feel free to comment.
I will add to this thread with any progressions.
The tree is leaning a little bit to the left from where it was originally styled. The tree was styled with flat pads of foliage. The tree has slanted abit to the left as it is overdue for a repot and has pushed itself out of the pot a little bit.
I have had the tree for around 7 years, or thereabouts. I have been trying to reduce my collection to trees that I am either able to use for my hire business, or shohin sized trees for my own personal collection. This tree has not been used for my hire business as it is slightly too large for most applications. I havent been able to sell it or swap it, so I decided to restyle it.
The Canberra Bonsai Society asked Grant Bowie and myself to do a demonstration on wiring and heavy bending techniques. Grant suggested that the cedar would be a good tree to work on during the demo. So, here is the progression, from yesterday's demo.
All branches removed except the first 3 - a left a back and a right.
The left branch has had holes drilled on the inside of the proposed bend to thin out the hard wood. It was then wrapped in bike tube rubber, then vet wrap, then wire. The wire was 4mm aluminium, I have attached a guy wire from the aluminium wire to a screw placed in the back of the trunk, this will help to hold the bend when I have the branch in the desired position.
This process took most of the demo time, so I promised the club I would complete the tasks and bring the tree back to the next months meeting.
Today, I found time before and after my afternoon bonsai classes to get a bit more done on the tree. Here is where I am at with it.
Front Side Back There is a bit more wiring work to be done on the finer branches, along with some micro placement of branches. I hope to get to that the weekend after next (we have the Weston Creek Bonsai Show next weekend).
There is some growth required in the left hand side of the crown (time needed there)
I need to get my carving tools out, but will wait until the wood dries out, this could be 12 months or more.
Next Spring, all things going well, I will select a nice pot to put it in.
Feel free to comment.
I will add to this thread with any progressions.
Nice direction and balance