Another Shimpaku semi-bunjin

[rockm]

I'd hang on to that left branch...

As for getting stuck between a moyogi and a bunjin, I'd rather have good moyogi than a mediocre bunjin... Just because the trunk is lean and battered doesn't make a bunjin obligatory.

 

[Dav4]

I'd hang on to that left branch...

As for getting stuck between a moyogi and a bunjin, I'd rather have good moyogi than a mediocre bunjin... Just because the trunk is lean and battered doesn't make a bunjin obligatory.

My thoughts as well. Thanks for the input, Mark.

 

[Dav4]

This one has been holding steady now for the last year...getting stronger despite the ever present spider mite. It may get worked on this year.

 

[Dav4]

Here is another "anti-silly thread" response...... and until others start posting pics of their trees, you'll all have to make due with pics of mine. This one had a 70% foliage reduction/wiring, and was re-potted into a nice round handmade pot made by a club member. The pictures never do this one justice. Still needs some tweaking, I think. Let me know if you agree...

 

[Dav4]

Kathy made me do it...

Well, the tree was reduced more dramatically over the weekend...during a Kathy Shaner critique. I wasn't really happy with the current image, feeling that the canopy was still too heavy given the relatively thin trunk. Agreeing with and following Kathy's suggestion, I removed 2 branches...one was quite large and fell down in front of the trunk, obscuring it...the other was toward the apex and came from inside a curve. I'm still trying to ahng on to that lowest left branch, but I'm beginning to see the tree might be better without it. I'm in no rush, so the I'm going to try to work with it for another season, maybe two. I may re-wire the canopy again this spring, bu I need to stare at the tree for a few weeks, first. I included apicture from the top down for no particular reason other then completeness. Comments?

 

[rockm]

You're doing very well with it. Less is more with such a trunk.

Again, don't be too hasty with that first branch. I think part of the "problem" (if that's the right word) with it, is it is too "busy" with jin. Put your fingers over the jin in the front and the jin coming off the branch itself (and the jin poking up behind the trunk).

Eliminating (or minimizing) those jin makes for a cleaner look and the left branch becomes more of a defined part of the whole tree.

 

[berobinson82]

I wonder how often a bonsai professional gives advice and the tree's owner absolutely cringes!

 

[Dav4]

You're doing very well with it. Less is more with such a trunk.

Again, don't be too hasty with that first branch. I think part of the "problem" (if that's the right word) with it, is it is too "busy" with jin. Put your fingers over the jin in the front and the jin coming off the branch itself (and the jin poking up behind the trunk).

Eliminating (or minimizing) those jin makes for a cleaner look and the left branch becomes more of a defined part of the whole tree.

I definitely agree with the "less is more" sentiment. I guess my eyes have been focusing on the foliage and not seeng the jins as conflicting or confusing factors. I will reduce them shortly and see if that helps with the image. Thanks for the advice, Mark.

 

[JudyB]

I wonder how often a bonsai professional gives advice and the tree's owner absolutely cringes!

Probably a lot. I wonder how many times the owners feel pressured, and do something they regret...

I really like this tree as is, and I agree with rockm, it's easier to "see" without all that extra...
I would keep that branch though, it's beautiful -the sinuousness it has.
What is up with that one root that is above the soil? Keeping?

 

[Dav4]

I wonder how often a bonsai professional gives advice and the tree's owner absolutely cringes!

I don't think I've participated in a critique or workshop where I havn't cringed at least once...I guess that's how you know you're getting your money's worth.

 

[Dav4]

Probably a lot. I wonder how many times the owners feel pressured, and do something they regret...

I really like this tree as is, and I agree with rockm, it's easier to "see" without all that extra...
I would keep that branch though, it's beautiful -the sinuousness it has.
What is up with that one root that is above the soil? Keeping?

The roots on this tree are a bit messy, with many of the thicker ones being above the ground in a octupus like tangle. I have been slowly reducing the live roots on the root I think you're referring to...it will either be eliminated or jinned at next re-pot.

 

[aidan13]

I drew up this virt as a possible avenue you might take if you decided to go full bunjin. I'm speaking more from esthetics than experience here, as I'm definitely a beginner, so if this not feasible, than please let me know!

My idea is that you could do away with everything but what appears to be the third branch down from the top, on the left side, then grow that out, as in the virt. That is just the tree that I saw, however. There are probably dozens more that I didn't. Just my two cents.

 

[Dav4]

That's a good virt...thank you. I'm not sure if I want to be that minimalistic with this material...yet. I'm going to work with most of the existing foliage and see where it gets me. Thanks again.

 

[Tona]

I like where the tree is going right now.
Tona

 

[A Random User]

I know I am only a "pompous argumentative ass"...

But,

I wanted to say, that I really like this tree.
and good job... keep up the good work.

 

[Martin Sweeney]

sawgrass,

I totally agree.

Martin

 

[A Random User]

sawgrass,

I totally agree.

Martin

Careful... Mr. Sweeney, or you might be responsible
for the "ruining" of Dave here's thread, that he has had
going since 2010...

 

[Si Nguyen]

Another cool tree Dave. I think you're heading in the right direction. Less is more. You need to remove a few more branches and move the apex to the left a bit more. Here's how I see it. Did I ever sketch this tree out before? It seems very familiar to me.
Good luck!

 

[Waldo Street Pottery]

Definately a cool tree Dave, it was one of the more interesting ones Kathy put a spin on for sure. Keep it up!

 

[Dav4]

Another cool tree Dave. I think you're heading in the right direction. Less is more. You need to remove a few more branches and move the apex to the left a bit more. Here's how I see it. Did I ever sketch this tree out before? It seems very familiar to me.
Good luck!

Great virt, Si...very Penjing...I like it alot. If you ever have sketched this tree, you probably would have posted it in this thread. As someone else noted, the thread's been around for a few years, so maybe you did but forgot to post it. Honestly, you have sketched many of my trees...always a great design and wonderfully done. I think we could make a compilation of them and sell them.