32 year old Acer Rubrum

[NaoTK]

A good bonsai should tell a story and be interesting, create some tension where there is none. In my design the tree is reaching for light in the upper right like on the edge of a forest. The bend at the soil line lends itself to this; there is this awkward negative space on the lower left side currently.

I did see this tree in person at Nationals so I am not armchair judging out of thin air. Again I am just supposin' as we all should be doing in this hobby more often to progress.

 

[ABCarve]

A good bonsai should tell a story and be interesting, create some tension where there is none. In my design the tree is reaching for light in the upper right like on the edge of a forest. The bend at the soil line lends itself to this; there is this awkward negative space on the lower left side currently.

I did see this tree in person at Nationals so I am not armchair judging out of thin air. Again I am just supposin' as we all should be doing in this hobby more often to progress.

This was the original nebari that had a carved hollow trunk which was the story. All things must pass as the tree filled the hollow. I would make this the front of the tree but I would have to tilt the trunk so far forward it would bury to frontal roots on this nebari. It might work if it were in a much larger pot and mounded up so as to keep the front roots exposed. As for the slanting trunk style .......I'm simply just not a fan of that style and I'm the one that's got to look at it everyday.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

This was the original nebari that had a carved hollow trunk which was the story. All things must pass as the tree filled the hollow. I would make this the front of the tree but I would have to tilt the trunk so far forward it would bury to frontal roots on this nebari. It might work if it were in a much larger pot and mounded up so as to keep the front roots exposed. As for the slanting trunk style .......I'm simply just not a fan of that style and I'm the one that's got to look at it everyday.

Really nice base from that angle! It is common practice to rethink/redesign trees after showing them at their peak, and all options should be considered very thoughtfully.

 

[ABCarve]

Totality among the bonsai !!

 

[NaoTK]

 

[namnhi]

This was the original nebari that had a carved hollow trunk which was the story. All things must pass as the tree filled the hollow. I would make this the front of the tree but I would have to tilt the trunk so far forward it would bury to frontal roots on this nebari. It might work if it were in a much larger pot and mounded up so as to keep the front roots exposed. As for the slanting trunk style .......I'm simply just not a fan of that style and I'm the one that's got to look at it everyday.

View attachment 539514View attachment 539515

Impressive base/tree sir.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

This was the original nebari that had a carved hollow trunk which was the story. All things must pass as the tree filled the hollow. I would make this the front of the tree but I would have to tilt the trunk so far forward it would bury to frontal roots on this nebari. It might work if it were in a much larger pot and mounded up so as to keep the front roots exposed. As for the slanting trunk style .......I'm simply just not a fan of that style and I'm the one that's got to look at it everyday.

View attachment 539514View attachment 539515

This nebari rules.

 

[ABCarve]

2024 Fall color

 

[jesse3489]

2024 Fall color

View attachment 571782

I appreciate seeing a good red maple. I feel like people scoff at them bit they make such beautiful bonsai when done correctly. This is probably the prettiest one I have ever seen.