Collecting a swamp azelea (Rhododendron viscosum)

[Joe Dupre']

Just my personal opinion. Keep going for ramification and carve the transitions to taper into the main shoots. Dress the carving with a bit of ground charcoal mixed with water and then a thin smear of thin cut paste. It's a very interesting tree without the need for exacting adherence to the bonsai rules of taper. Just enjoy the full canopy and the flowers.

 

[Javaman4373]

Just my personal opinion. Keep going for ramification and carve the transitions to taper into the main shoots. Dress the carving with a bit of ground charcoal mixed with water and then a thin smear of thin cut paste. It's a very interesting tree without the need for exacting adherence to the bonsai rules of taper. Just enjoy the full canopy and the flowers.

Do you think I should chop the main trunks further, back to as low as possible depending on the availability of a main branch? That is one thought that I have.

 

[Joe Dupre']

Well, this is the idea I use. If, every time you walk out in your garden, the lack of taper grates on you, then chop them down and start over. If you can live with the nebari ( very nice I might add) that might make up for the lack of taper. Life is too short to put up with a tree that I deem ugly. I try to make my trees appealing to ME, not some friend, fellow bonsai person or club member.