Dawn Redwood Forest
- Thread starter Kipper10
- Start date
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Grow and cut back will help equalise the obvious chops in the trunks. dawn redwood is a great candidate for grow and chop because it will always bud after a chop.
I think I would also recut some of those flat cuts at an angle so the trunks taper from thick to thin a little less obviously.
There's not much difference in thickness of the trunks. Groups usually look more natural where some trunks are thick and others thinner as this enhances perspective and makes some tree look further away. Best to try to manage growth to assist with different trunk size through different growth rates. More growth will encourage more thickening. Less growth tends to mean less thickening. In my experience, trees on the outside of young forests have more root space so tend to grow more meaning they thicken faster than the middle trees - not ideal for a group where the centre and front trees look better when they are dominant. It already appears the outer trees are growing more than the centre trees? Try to trim outer and rear trees more than centre trees to encourage differential thickening.
You could also consider taking some cuttings from any pruning. Some smaller, thinner trees to the rear and sides of the group would probably enhance the natural forest look.
Whenever we trim bonsai we need to trim back below desired height and width because the trees only ever keep growing up and out. It's a constant cycle of cut back below desired size and grow out past desired size, just to see that sweet spot occasionally.
I think I would also recut some of those flat cuts at an angle so the trunks taper from thick to thin a little less obviously.
There's not much difference in thickness of the trunks. Groups usually look more natural where some trunks are thick and others thinner as this enhances perspective and makes some tree look further away. Best to try to manage growth to assist with different trunk size through different growth rates. More growth will encourage more thickening. Less growth tends to mean less thickening. In my experience, trees on the outside of young forests have more root space so tend to grow more meaning they thicken faster than the middle trees - not ideal for a group where the centre and front trees look better when they are dominant. It already appears the outer trees are growing more than the centre trees? Try to trim outer and rear trees more than centre trees to encourage differential thickening.
You could also consider taking some cuttings from any pruning. Some smaller, thinner trees to the rear and sides of the group would probably enhance the natural forest look.
Whenever we trim bonsai we need to trim back below desired height and width because the trees only ever keep growing up and out. It's a constant cycle of cut back below desired size and grow out past desired size, just to see that sweet spot occasionally.
Thank you for your reply, I was new to bonsai last year when I bought this forest on line and did think the chops look ugly, I hope some new growth will help cover them, I will try and angle the chops and I will try and trim the outer and rear trees more than the centre. Much appreciated advice.
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Now they have strong new shoots for the trunk it's safe to cut close to the stronger shoots. Angles something like the marks on this picture.
