Doug Paul's Douglas Fir in the Artisans Cup

[Chuah]

I like Doug Paul's Douglas Fir in the Artisans Cup. It has gnarly shari and twisted live vein shaped by exposure to harsh natural elements for hundreds of years. It reminds me of a tree, could also be a Douglas Fir but not sure, I saw while hiking in British Columbia. Note the similarity in the flaky slivers of peeled wood in the shari, the twisted bark. The tree in the show was planted in a rock, very similar to how the B.C. tree grew naturally in a depression of a boulder.

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• Chuah
• Oct 8, 2015

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• Chuah
• Oct 8, 2015

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• Chuah
• Oct 8, 2015

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• Chuah
• Oct 8, 2015

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• Chuah
• Oct 8, 2015

 

[crust]

Yes, the Paul D-fir is a stunner. Completely outrageous dynamism in the trunk. If It was mine I would wire it way differently. I would be mean and angular and lose the feathers...but its not. I guess I just love these perverse barber-pole trees. I so need a six pack of um. When I was R. Neils garden I inquired as to the price of a certain less amazing but still completely gorgeous D-fir--it was $12,00.00. I just was sick.

 

[Stickroot]

Yes, the Paul D-fir is a stunner. Completely outrageous dynamism in the trunk. If It was mine I would wire it way differently. I would be mean and angular and lose the feathers...but its not. I guess I just love these perverse barber-pole trees. I so need a six pack of um. When I was R. Neils garden I inquired as to the price of a certain less amazing but still completely gorgeous D-fir--it was $12,00.00. I just was sick.

What is the $ amount exactly?
$12,000.00 ?
$1200.00?

 

[bonsaiBlake]

The first I'm sure. 12k is right. Ryan has trees upwards of $50k

 

[MACH5]

Yes, the Paul D-fir is a stunner. Completely outrageous dynamism in the trunk. If It was mine I would wire it way differently. I would be mean and angular and lose the feathers...but its not. I guess I just love these perverse barber-pole trees. I so need a six pack of um. When I was R. Neils garden I inquired as to the price of a certain less amazing but still completely gorgeous D-fir--it was $12,00.00. I just was sick.

I agree Crust. Since you opened the door I will come in and say the same. It is very well and professionally designed and wired. Artistically I do not think the two parts, trunk and foliage tell the same story. But nonetheless a gorgeous tree to be sure!

 

[bonsaiBlake]

I got r get up close and personal with this one, surprising lite in weight. I agree on the different story comment. Something about that trunk is both off putting and mezmerizing at the same time

 

[MACH5]

Does anyone know who styled this tree for Doug and is it a Randy tree?

 

[rockm]

Excellent, stunner of a tree... It's all gnarly and such, but the small planting stone makes it look unstable. Noticed it with Hagedorn's trees, a few of Ryan's and this one. A rock that's flatter and twice as wide would help a bit, but that's just me...

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I agree Crust. Since you opened the door I will come in and say the same. It is very well and professionally designed and wired. Artistically I do not think the two parts, trunk and foliage tell the same story. But nonetheless a gorgeous tree to be sure!

Could you comment further on that? I'm interested in hearing your perspective.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Excellent, stunner of a tree... It's all gnarly and such, but the small planting stone makes it look unstable. Noticed it with Hagedorn's trees, a few of Ryan's and this one. A rock that's flatter and twice as wide would help a bit, but that's just me...

@rockm
I like the stone, and I think it accomplishes the job. It's tall and proportionate to make me think "rocky cliff side." It could even be a taller stone, but would need something to keep from being overwhelming. Something like some variation in dark and light color or have negative space from holes or variation in depth. But more rock means more back breaking

I think a wider and flatter stone would be better for a forest style; that'd would make me think "landscape", but perhaps you picture a different stone than what I imagine? If so I'd like to see.

 

[rockm]

Don't know if I can describe what I'd like to see it in.

I just think the current rock looks clunky . A flatter wider stone--or thinner wider stone-- doesn't necessarily say landscape. doesn't have to be flat, just flatt-er. the thickness of the current stone (and overall lack of anything remarkable) stands out. The trunk has a lightness about it (swirling deadwood) that would match with something less heavy.

 

[wireme]

Does anyone know who styled this tree for Doug and is it a Randy tree?

I'm pretty sure it is a Randy tree and styled by Ryan Neil, saw it on the mirai site before. I wish we could see a Crust or Mach5 version of this material, I've come across similar material but never deemed them to be collectible, impressive collection!

 

[MACH5]

Could you comment further on that? I'm interested in hearing your perspective.

The tree with its twisting live vein around a powerful and untamed trunk planted in a rock evokes an environment that's harsh and wild. By contrast, the nicely organized foliage pads with emphasis on horizontal planes alludes to an environment that's peaceful and non-threatening thus creating a disparity between the two parts in my opinion.

I personally would have have created more angular and twisting lines in the branches to match the story the trunk is telling. I also would have probably chosen something other than ferns to use on the rock. These are not plants that inhabit these harsh environments at least not to my knowledge. Again I say this with utmost respect since I think it is nevertheless a stunning presentation.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

M5, I really like the tree, but I agree with your thoughts. The ferns bothered me, and I didn't know why at first.

 

[wireme]

The tree with its twisting live vein around a powerful and untamed trunk planted in a rock evokes an environment that's harsh and wild. By contrast, the nicely organized foliage pads with emphasis on horizontal planes alludes to an environment that's peaceful and non-threatening thus creating a disparity between the two parts in my opinion.

I personally would have have created more angular and twisting lines in the branches to match the story the trunk is telling. I also would have probably chosen something other than ferns to use on the rock. These are not plants that inhabit these harsh environments at least not to my knowledge. Again I say this with utmost respect since I think it is nevertheless a stunning presentation.

I agree with your opinion other than the fern part, there is a type of fern growing along side this type of tree in the hills in the same environment, not sure if they are true ferns but look just like that and are super tough drought tolerant rock dwellers. Doug Fir has a pretty wide niche too, does well in dry and moist giving lots of options for display.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I like this from Chuah:

“In music, Aaron Copland created the American sound in his compositions such as Rodeo, Appalachian Spring etc. The sound is unmistakably American to listeners. To me those big collected conifers, though very impressive and awe inspiring, are still bound very much by Japanese aesthetics except they are American native trees.”

​

 

[crust]

Yes, the Paul D-fir is a stunner. Completely outrageous dynamism in the trunk. If It was mine I would wire it way differently. I would be mean and angular and lose the feathers...but its not. I guess I just love these perverse barber-pole trees. I so need a six pack of um. When I was R. Neils garden I inquired as to the price of a certain less amazing but still completely gorgeous D-fir--it was $12,00.00. I just was sick.

Oops--I mean $12,000.00.

 

[crust]

Does anyone know who styled this tree for Doug and is it a Randy tree?

I heard it had gone through Ryan's hands.

 

[Txhorticulture]

It reminds me of a tree, could also be a Douglas Fir but not sure, I saw while hiking in British Columbia. Note the similarity in the flaky slivers of peeled wood in the shari, the twisted bark.

I cannot tell exactly what the British Columbia tree is
, I can tell you it is not a Doug fir. Looks like a pine to me. Both are beautiful trees. $12,000 is a little ridiculous $50,000 is stupid. But I guess some people have more money than sense.

 

[crust]

The tree with its twisting live vein around a powerful and untamed trunk planted in a rock evokes an environment that's harsh and wild. By contrast, the nicely organized foliage pads with emphasis on horizontal planes alludes to an environment that's peaceful and non-threatening thus creating a disparity between the two parts in my opinion.

I personally would have have created more angular and twisting lines in the branches to match the story the trunk is telling. I also would have probably chosen something other than ferns to use on the rock. These are not plants that inhabit these harsh environments at least not to my knowledge. Again I say this with utmost respect since I think it is nevertheless a stunning presentation.

I completely concur on all your points!--and about the vegetable ferns sprouting from its rump. The rock, when I saw this in the show, seemed to work wonderfully. It was if it was floating--way up in the highest places--but if you linger and stare and stare, the rock started to seem a wee bit off but I attributed this to the great feathering top--which is going to get bigger and bigger. Who knows maybe this feather stage is strengthening and it will some day be cut back and brought into perfect poetic congruity--like Mach5 says, ". Again I say this with utmost respect since I think it is nevertheless a stunning presentation." being next to a tree like this really does remind me I am just a bonzo dork.