Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
A planting angle change will emphasize the dead wood I believe.
One of the two apexes can be bent down to the left hand side to make a zig zag. Or to the right and do something different.
Collecting up North - Larch & Thuja
- Thread starter GreatLakesBrad
- Start date
A planting angle change will emphasize the dead wood I believe.
One of the two apexes can be bent down to the left hand side to make a zig zag. Or to the right and do something different.
GreatLakesBrad
Chumono
Absolutely think increasing that angle is key. Maybe Sticking out over a rock face is the “setting.” planning to increase it to some extent. Appreciate the input!
LanceMac10
Imperial Masterpiece
Since you brought up Lenz, maybe a more extreme planting angle would be a nice start? I wonder, if over time, the upright base might become a bit "boring" to your eye.
Tempting to try and use everything there, but, I think in the future you'll run into taper issues.
You can carve movement and character in the trunk over the years as you link up the deadwood to your carving.
GreatLakesBrad
Chumono
Lance and his drool worthy tree images
Lentz trees are so neat. Love his book.Thanks for the input... the base is definitely straight / not exciting. It was only slightly angled in the ground at collection, increased it just a bit when potting it. I do like the thought of carving it up longer term.
LanceMac10
Imperial Masterpiece
I know you favor a taller, more graceful tree image. But "growing it up" in to your virtual might take a drastic prune or two as opposed to growing on....
As mentioned earlier, if it grows a bit too vigorous, your nice aged bark sloughs off due to the quicker growing juvenile bark beneath. Time-ly to re-grow/replace...
not my video, but did see this tree...once past the Shimp'....
As mentioned earlier, if it grows a bit too vigorous, your nice aged bark sloughs off due to the quicker growing juvenile bark beneath. Time-ly to re-grow/replace...
not my video, but did see this tree...once past the Shimp'....
GreatLakesBrad
Chumono
The Shimpaku ain’t bad either! And is kinda in the vein of where I should take this tree, and the larch the deadwood/caving themes. Thanks for sharing.
You’re spot on re: my preference - or moreso my brain needs to open up to cascade/sharp angles, especially with the way larch appear (conifer styles). Definitely concerned about growing too much of new trunk/branches - just won’t match up. This sucker is probably 50 years old and the bark is very gnarled.
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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The American larch, Larix laricina, does not "submit" to cascade styles. Even branches usually do not droop much below horizontal. At least the trees I've seen. You might be okay with descending branches, you might not. The European and Japanese larches tolerate cascading and or descending branches a little better than the American larch. But none of the larches are "easy" to turn into cascades.
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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Brad, I do like your proposed virtuals. They could work, though I wonder if you would succeed with the descending branches. Though your designs with the branches more close to horizontal would still work.
GreatLakesBrad
Chumono
Thanks Leo! You’re mostly referring to the growth habit of our American Larch, correct? Makes sense. Driving through miles of them in the UP this fall, not an extreme ‘alpine’ look of those mature tamarack, to be sure.
leatherback
The Treedeemer
can't believe I have not seen this thread before. Good stuff there!
missionBonsai
Yamadori
@Brad in GR great finds and awesome YouTube channel, you have great content on there! Do you happen to have any larches left that you would part with?
GreatLakesBrad
Chumono
Thanks for watching - we shall see how many survive of the few that were collected. I likely will return next fall - I otherwise have several other larch in varying stages. Check with me come spring time? Feel free to reach out on here or on Instagram (@greatlakesbonsai), we can figure something out. 
AlainK
Imperial Masterpiece
I even wonder if (if) some "bonsai" with "inerse taper" at one point or another couldn't be remarkable trees that a lot of people miss for too much respect for the norm. Mind you, we're not speaking of my trees!
Some Chinese "penjing" have this kind of "fault" and yet have the quality of a work of art.
(No time to search for examples)
I Iike a lot Bard in GR's virtuals too, think that's what I would do...
Er, Brad, not "Bard"
Welcome to year 2021. Peace. And love. Not lies...
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