Trident Maple Forest

Dorian Fourie

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Then all the areas behind and below the rocks need to be filled with soil to ensure they do not move and that there is no air pockets with no soil.

I keep a spray bottle on hand with water in to spray the soil so that it settles down nicely

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Once I am certain that the soil is washed in nicely, I start to replace the moss.
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Bolero

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I liked it better with the Steps in it...They added a Dimension of Curiosity, Detail & Purpose to the setting... where did they go, who used them,...
I like your Rocks especially the ones with the undercut bottoms, as though someone or something might live there ...???
I find it interesting in that you essentially have 3 groups of Maples as opposed to a single all closely growing together Forest or Grouping...That indicates, at lease to me, another Dimension of Curiosity to the Setting...
What is the Width, Length & OA Height of the setting, pot...
As usual you have accomplished a really nice, & interesting Bonsai Landscape setting...
The Right side of the setting is Begging for something to be added, not sure what? Shrubbery maybe.
Thanks for sharing...
 

Dorian Fourie

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I liked it better with the Steps in it...They added a Dimension of Curiosity, Detail & Purpose to the setting... where did they go, who used them,...
I like your Rocks especially the ones with the undercut bottoms, as though someone or something might live there ...???
I find it interesting in that you essentially have 3 groups of Maples as opposed to a single all closely growing together Forest or Grouping...That indicates, at lease to me, another Dimension of Curiosity to the Setting...
What is the Width, Length & OA Height of the setting, pot...
As usual you have accomplished a really nice, & interesting Bonsai Landscape setting...
The Right side of the setting is Begging for something to be added, not sure what? Shrubbery maybe.
Thanks for sharing...
Thanks so much Bolero.

I was in 2 minds about the steps ever since I put them into the forest the first time. As much as I liked them, I never really felt that the forest looked natural with them in it (More man made forest with people in and out). When I started to put the rocks back into the forest this time, the plan was to put the steps back in, but as I added more rocks, I liked the more natural forest feel of the trees growing at the top of the hill. The rocks are very rustic and like you said, add another dimension to the forest by making you think what is under there.

The width of the pot is 55cm x 37cm from the front to the back. The height of the forest is 42 cm from the top rim of the pot.

I do agree with something on the right. I have a dead tree that will go onto that side which I know will add a great extra dimension to the forest. I did take a photo of it in without the rocks so let me know if you agree. I did not put it into the last picture as I have stored them safely away for when I want to take better photos or for the day when I show it. Maybe this weekend, I will clean up the pot nicely and take a few pictures with the dead tree in as the moss has also settled nicely around the rocks.

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Dorian Fourie

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@Bolero

The other option that I did think about to add to feeling of it being more natural is to add a dirt path with loads of stones on it. The thought is that even though it is a forest on top of a rocky outcrop, people still want to go there and that is the only way to get up there. I can go deeper into the area where the yellow line is a make the path. That is currently where my mind is.
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So that is an option that I can explore later on. It will be easy enough to remove the moss and put a dirt path in.
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Bolero

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Dorian I agree with the Dead tree and maybe some more branches around it...and maybe a little shrub or two to give dimension and reality to your setting...

On the stairs...I would make them very old looking and covered with small forest stuff, smallish branches, leaves, etc, just a thought, I also like the idea of just an old Path up the Outcropping...You already have a Natural Pathway there...

Otherwise a Beautiful Bonsai Setting...A good sized Pot and Setting also...
 

Dorian Fourie

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Dorian I agree with the Dead tree and maybe some more branches around it...and maybe a little shrub or two to give dimension and reality to your setting...

On the stairs...I would make them very old looking and covered with small forest stuff, smallish branches, leaves, etc, just a thought, I also like the idea of just an old Path up the Outcropping...You already have a Natural Pathway there...

Otherwise a Beautiful Bonsai Setting...A good sized Pot and Setting also...
Thanks so much once again. I will definitely post once I continue on it.
 

Dorian Fourie

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Just a quick update on this maple forest.

The moss and rocks have settled extremely well and I believe that I am achieving the effect that I was wanting. We have had some very late rains which has damaged some of my moss as it creates a type of algae / jelly substance that kills the moss but overall I am very happy with the way it has taken.

We had our quarterly bonsai regional association meeting and I decided to take it with and enter it into the forest / grouping category. I took first place for which I was very happy about. I am not too sure about the accent that I put with it though. I definitely think the rock with the moss complimented the forest but I think it was too big. A smaller flat rock with one piece of moss might have been better.

Anyway, autumn is in full swing but with the rains, the leaves have not turned colour as much as I want them too. Now the forest will be left till Spring and mid winter, I may take a few more photos of the forest without its leaves.

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Bolero

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Dorian, your Rock placement is Outstanding and gives the Landscape a Realistic look...
I like the Tree Stump and broken off Limbs on the ground...
I don't think your Moss on a Rock does anything to add to the Setting, I would not use it, too distracting......
I still think you could add some Steps to the Left side of the Landscape, cleverly adding them in between the Rocks...
Will love seeing Fall colors of the Trident...
 

Dorian Fourie

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Dorian, your Rock placement is Outstanding and gives the Landscape a Realistic look...
I like the Tree Stump and broken off Limbs on the ground...
I don't think your Moss on a Rock does anything to add to the Setting, I would not use it, too distracting......
I still think you could add some Steps to the Left side of the Landscape, cleverly adding them in between the Rocks...
Will love seeing Fall colors of the Trident...
Thanks so much for the great feedback Bolero. Really appreciate it.

I have to agree that my accent did not add to the overall view.

I can definitely look at some steps in that little gap between the rocks. If it doesn't work overall image wise, then I just remove them and put the rocks back. The dead branches / stump etc did add to the overall view. I have removed them now and put them safely away for when I display it again.

I would also love to see fall colours on this tree but I have never had much success in achieving it. I do not think we get cold enough temps here to cause it. I am not sure if there are any ways that one can use to induce great colouring of the leaves.
 

Bolero

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Dorian, I have a thought on the Steps,,,Try for an image/look of very old well used steps, sort of worn out steps, a few worked into the ground cover at the ends and a few a bit more prominent but definitely showing age, but not overpowering...
It could definately add Character and Mystique to the Setting...

I would also love to see fall colours on this tree but I have never had much success in achieving it. I do not think we get cold enough temps here to cause it. I am not sure if there are any ways that one can use to induce great colouring of the leaves.

You might be able to force them into Dormancy by depriving them of Sunlight and placing them in the Coolest place in your home environment, just a thought.
 

Hyn Patty

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This is one of the best threads I have /EVER/ read. SO very inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It looks like any of the trees on our new property with stone out croppings all over the place. The downed limbs are a nice touch though I am missing those stone steps you used to have. The micro fine moss was a very nice touch, too. When I used to live in China, I used to climb steps like those in the hills every day. I so want to do a forest planting though I may have to break the rules a little bit and do more mixed trees, not all the same. Do it for my own pleasure. A few tiny mico mini plants of other kinds tucked here and there in the moss might be nice, maybe something that flowers like creeping thyme. Add slightly varying texture, height, colors...
 
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