Bonsai Design Question(s)

[JackHammer]

I found a few similar images of bonsai styled as uprights but they have counterintuitive triangles/aspects. I can't tell if I like them or not but they make me think which is a good thing.

Regarding the pictures below, the thing that makes me interested is the upper point, which is generally near the apex that is directionally similar to the lowest point.

So on the first pine, it has its' lowest "first branch" but then the left side of the apex comes out to nearly the same point.

Is there a convention or name for this type of design? Love it? Hate it?



General design questions welcome in this thread.

 

[MeDupree]

I found a few similar images of bonsai styled as uprights but they have counterintuitive triangles/aspects. I can't tell if I like them or not but they make me think which is a good thing.

Regarding the pictures below, the thing that makes me interested is the upper point, which is generally near the apex that is directionally similar to the lowest point.

So on the first pine, it has its' lowest "first branch" but then the left side of the apex comes out to nearly the same point.

Is there a convention or name for this type of design? Love it? Hate it?
View attachment 494183View attachment 494184View attachment 494185View attachment 494186


General design questions welcome in this thread.

Formal upright? Chokkan....not in my top 5 but I'd like to make 1 or 2, a pine and larch/ or elm

 

[JackHammer]

Maybe this is the "Cryptomeria japonica" style? It seems more specific to Chokkan

 

[MeDupree]

Maybe this is the "Cryptomeria japonica" style? It seems more specific to Chokkan

Possibly a cedar too?

 

[Tieball]

I like a tall somewhat slender tree. I don’t get hung up on triangles. I have an American Elm that ís similarly tall like the trees you posted photos to the show the style for discussion. The height from the soil level to the crown top measures 28” (71cm). With a trim it will reduce to about 26” (66cm). My American Elm needs trimming soon, before the close of the season, but the general fundamentals of what I want (and the tree continually wants) exist today. I attached a photo.


Sometimes a tree I see just make me feel like it needs to be chopped lower. Like the second tree attached in your post which makes me feel like a chopping was neglected and the top third of the tree needs removal. And it seems to me that all those surface foots should have been buried. I would not like roots like this exposed. Here’s the tree from your photo grouping.

 

[rockm]

I found a few similar images of bonsai styled as uprights but they have counterintuitive triangles/aspects. I can't tell if I like them or not but they make me think which is a good thing.

Regarding the pictures below, the thing that makes me interested is the upper point, which is generally near the apex that is directionally similar to the lowest point.

So on the first pine, it has its' lowest "first branch" but then the left side of the apex comes out to nearly the same point.

Is there a convention or name for this type of design? Love it? Hate it?
View attachment 494183View attachment 494184View attachment 494185View attachment 494186


General design questions welcome in this thread.

The styles here are specific to the species of bonsai. Azaleas are made tall and tiered to show off blossoms. The needle junipers (or hinoki, can't really tell from the photos) are designed this way traditionally. Their tall tiered silhouettes are meant to call to mind samurai in armor, or multi-tiered pagodas.

The styles don't really translate well to other species for the most part.

 

[dbonsaiw]

Sometimes a tree I see just make me feel like it needs to be chopped lower.

This was my feeling as well. I don't mind the tall and slender look, but something is lost without some more taper.

 

[Cajunrider]

This was my feeling as well. I don't mind the tall and slender look, but something is lost without some more taper.

Unless the trees are bunjins or are in a forest, I would like to see decent taper.

 

[JackHammer]

I like a tall somewhat slender tree. I don’t get hung up on triangles. I have an American Elm that ís similarly tall like the trees you posted photos to the show the style for discussion. The height from the soil level to the crown top measures 28” (71cm). With a trim it will reduce to about 26” (66cm). My American Elm needs trimming soon, before the close of the season, but the general fundamentals of what I want (and the tree continually wants) exist today. I attached a photo.
View attachment 494204

Sometimes a tree I see just make me feel like it needs to be chopped lower. Like the second tree attached in your post which makes me feel like a chopping was neglected and the top third of the tree needs removal. And it seems to me that all those surface foots should have been buried. I would not like roots like this exposed. Here’s the tree from your photo grouping.
View attachment 494205

Really good insight. That makes a lot of sense.

The styles here are specific to the species of bonsai. Azaleas are made tall and tiered to show off blossoms. The needle junipers (or hinoki, can't really tell from the photos) are designed this way traditionally. Their tall tiered silhouettes are meant to call to mind samurai in armor, or multi-tiered pagodas.

The styles don't really translate well to other species for the most part.

This is the kind of stuff you can't find anywhere. Thanks for sharing.
I know the Zelkova broom but are there other species specific bonsai styles that are lesser known?

I love the baobab and this other one (trees are from Zimbabwe) but I can't find the name of it.