All these have been grown from seed or grafting. I have made a determined effort to think about the position of each branch according to what I want rather than what convention says. When I look at mature pines around me, I see many with ascending branches and a much more complicated structure than your common garden variety bonsai.
Thing is, when you do this you absolutely have to extrapolate because there is no blueprint to work from. Sketching the projected form is a very good tool. You can use that sketch to check on now and then to see if you are keeping on the road or to make adjustments as unexpected things come up. I have just started this so it is still in the theory stage but definitely more interesting than following the ''tried and true'' method.
This first one is a Scots Pine. You can see that the main branch is descending but most of the others have been brought up.
I have tried to project what I would like in the future. Perhaps 10 or 15 years. Whether I realize it is another matter......
It's impossible to include all the back branches in the drawing because it's just too difficult and it tend to clutter the image in a drawing but the way the main branches emerge from the trunk is the important thing at this stage. From there you can direct them as you see fit.
The next one is also a scots.
It was grafted onto scots stock about 12 years ago. This blue leaf variety has a strongly ascending branch habit so it will be formed into a broom. This is a common natural habit for this species any way.
No sketch for this one yet.
Thing is, when you do this you absolutely have to extrapolate because there is no blueprint to work from. Sketching the projected form is a very good tool. You can use that sketch to check on now and then to see if you are keeping on the road or to make adjustments as unexpected things come up. I have just started this so it is still in the theory stage but definitely more interesting than following the ''tried and true'' method.
This first one is a Scots Pine. You can see that the main branch is descending but most of the others have been brought up.
I have tried to project what I would like in the future. Perhaps 10 or 15 years. Whether I realize it is another matter......
It's impossible to include all the back branches in the drawing because it's just too difficult and it tend to clutter the image in a drawing but the way the main branches emerge from the trunk is the important thing at this stage. From there you can direct them as you see fit.
The next one is also a scots.
It was grafted onto scots stock about 12 years ago. This blue leaf variety has a strongly ascending branch habit so it will be formed into a broom. This is a common natural habit for this species any way.
No sketch for this one yet.
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