A Larch group

[mattspinniken]

I don't have a before picture of this small Larch group but it's amazing how some pruning and wiring can really change your mind about how much you like a tree.

I am trying to put together a nice forest with Larch on a stone but the bark color and texture varies so much on Larch I have collected from different areas. These three will not work for my main forest plans and they are also straighter than my others. I'm thinking I might keep these together on a small stone and try and find some partners. Also I am considering chopping back the big "boner". Either way it was fun to wire.

 

[Random User]

Larch are such a cool tree... by appearance, there branches and foilage are as rough as a porcupine, but surprisingly, when handled they are as soft as a puppy's butt... they can take a surprising amount of abuse too.

These three are coming along...

 

[Tycoss]

I like the look of these. The tall slender trunks with short downturned branches looks very natural and reminiscent of our northern or high mountain conifers. I particularly like the sparse foliage and stark trunk line of the "boner". I would keep it tall and tightly trimmed. A tree in between the height of it and the other two would improve the composition IMO. Planting it on a long slab with lots of negative space and some under plantings would also give it that rugged "landscape feel".

 

[Paradox]

This is a nice start.

I think the overall composition would be better if you put the trees closer together and added some smaller ones on the outside of the group to the side and behind to give more feeling of depth.

 

[Tycoss]

I second that thought. The larger one seems too isolated from the other two. It diminishes the three dimensional image.

 

[GGB]

I love the idea of these three in a shallow oval pot. Great start on one of my favorite species. Love seeing quality native trees with american personality. Holy melting bonsai pot!

 

[mattspinniken]

This is a nice start.

I think the overall composition would be better if you put the trees closer together and added some smaller ones on the outside of the group to the side and behind to give more feeling of depth.

Yes I agree. I also like the idea of adding one in between the height of the tallest and the other two like Tycoss recommended.

 

[mattspinniken]

Planting it on a long slab with lots of negative space and some under plantings would also give it that rugged "landscape feel"

I like this idea, I'm picturing a long slender slab with trees only on one half of the slab.

 

[crust]

I like this idea, I'm picturing a long slender slab with trees only on one half of the slab.

suddenly, acquiring the "right slab" becomes the challenge. Maintain high standards and find one.

 

[sorce]

Maintain high standards and find one.

Out of the 200 that you've brought home maintaining said standards.

Is the "Boner" the ugly part on the middle height tree that, if removed, would make it the second small tree?

Sorce

 

[mattspinniken]

Out of the 200 that you've brought home maintaining said standards.

Haha thanks, not that many but I don't know what it is about Larch... they call my name.

I actually was thinking about chopping back the tallest one and re growing some more taper. The tree you are talking about I think I will definitely chop the part with no branches and re grow. It won't take too long, it's not a very big tree. Btw the tallest tree in this group is 22".

 

[sorce]

Leave Lava Girl alone and read that again!
Lol...

I was talking about the 200 slabs.

And I was correct on the boner then?

Wake up Shark Boy!

Just Playing!

Sorce

 

[mattspinniken]

Leave Lava Girl alone and read that again!
Lol...

I was talking about the 200 slabs.

And I was correct on the boner then?

Wake up Shark Boy!

Just Playing!

Sorce

My eyes are only half open, it's too early for me. Impressive beard though, Pokemon Master!

 

[Random User]

Haha thanks, not that many but I don't know what it is about Larch... they call my name.

I actually was thinking about chopping back the tallest one and re growing some more taper. The tree you are talking about I think I will definitely chop the part with no branches and re grow. It won't take too long, it's not a very big tree. Btw the tallest tree in this group is 22".

I agree that the tall one is out of place with the other two, but instead of chopping it, I'd just take it out of the picture and replace it with either another larch, or another tree species that is the same variety as there is in your natural mixed forest that you see every day.

At 22" the large one isn't so large that it can't stand alone... that's my thought on it anyway.

 

[sorce]

I think we may still have the boner confused.

Sorce

 

[Bolero]

Here is my American Larch Forest or Grouping, it is 3+ years old now, The Larch were Nursery bought and some decent growth has occurred. All the needles turn Yellow and fall off in the Fall. This Setting is a Work in Progress, I will be removing most of the rock this Winter and adding new trees in the Spring.
This Setting is very high maintenance from ground cover to needle and branch trimming
& measures 19"W x 24" H...21 Trees