Heheheee.......tell me how you REALLY feel!!
Not offended in the least!
Though you have praised some horrible work and some gruesome examples here on this thread.
Actually, I don't disagree with what you've put forth, to be honest.
So let me explain...........
I haven't really "designed" the tree, per se. It's an old piece with old bark, so any change in the trunk will be limited to manipulating the cascading branch. And even that has some old bark that I would like to protect, if I can. So the trunks shape isn't changing.
If you bothered to look at each picture of my post, you would have seen that, sadly, the root ball was never addressed properly by the previous owner, (alas, I was forced to do the same). Cascades should really have a strong root presence opposite the cascading branch. This tree has them beneath the trunk and branching...backwards fro where they should be. Sucks, but you make due. It's a bit of a bad angle picture of the tree newly repotted. I tried as best I could to bring the tree forwards and closer to the edge of the container as I could, while leaving some space to ensure an even, healthy root ball. Is it perfect? Hardly. Will the tree end up healthier for it? I think so.
In working with this tree, and to "design" it to look more "natural", this is not it's final container. I think I'll have to consider an outside the norm container: crescent, pinch pot, avant garde slab, that sort of thing.....I'll have to look around, but this container will do for awhile.
. The future container should allow me to display the tree to your specifications.....
This would be the third pine that I have ever repotted and certainly the first tree of any kind I've repotted in August. I've only "worked" pines for 2-3 years, so I'm certainly not at your level. So thanks for expecting my two seconds of experience to measure up to your what, 40 years? Just a guy in his backyard, learning how to grow a tree in a container, much like your humble beginnings. While I have the advantage of "information" via the internet, we both know working on a tree is what gives you knowledge and experience, not reading about it.
I have noticed some of the more experienced folks here are getting a bit cranky lately.