Doug Paul's Douglas Fir in the Artisans Cup

[Chuah]

That would rule out ponderosa leaving lodgepole, western white pine and maybe whitebark pine as possibilities, quite sure you found a really cool lodgepole there, thanks for showing. The Doug fir is really amazing, must be one of the best of its species in a pot currently, does anyone know where it placed in the event standings?

Thanks for identifying the tree. I checked the judging results from the Artisans Cup site. A quick scan of the scores, this Douglas Fir was ranked #13. I like this tree's twisting bark, but the branches are too neatly wired; incongruent with the wildness of the rest of the tree, ferns etc. and the precarious planting on a rock. But that's what almost all bonsai are presented in shows, neatly wired with well placed pads.

 

[Adair M]

But that's what almost all bonsai are presented in shows, neatly wired with well placed pads.

So, how would you prefer them to be shown?

 

[sorce]

This rock talk is intriguing. I agree, also the stand is too delicate.

I'd like to see a slab all the way across the very bottom of this pic, with fern.

And a cliff built up to the rock.

Skip the next 12k tree for a forklift to move it.....

It's worth it.

Sorce

 

[Adair M]

This rock talk is intriguing. I agree, also the stand is too delicate.

Sorce

I don't know... I kind of like having the finely carved refined stand. It's in stark contrast to the ruggedness of the rocks and tree. I think that if the stand were rugged, it would detract from the tree.

 

[rockm]

Wouldn't have to be a rugged stand, just one that doesn't look like it can't support the wieght of planting on top of it. The stand's scrolls and filigrees are a little weird under such a stark, solid-looking composition.

 

[wireme]

It's really amazing that a dougy of this age and size has the roots near the trunk for this planting to be possible. Anytime I find something remotely like this there is always a very large taproot winding away through rock crevices, I would love to have seen what was removed and what was kept rootwise during the collection/establishment stage.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I'd like to see a stand of steel or bronze with design cues from the large ancient Chinese bells. Sort of traditional looking stand shape, but with the old oriental metal work flavor.

 

[fore]

It's really amazing that a dougy of this age and size has the roots near the trunk for this planting to be possible. Anytime I find something remotely like this there is always a very large taproot winding away through rock crevices, I would love to have seen what was removed and what was kept rootwise during the collection/establishment stage.

Wireme, I've seen Ryan pot up a pine (from pumice to pot) with only one long tap root after 3 yrs in pumice. He just wrapped it round and round in the pot, keeping them 'layered' with a sprinkling of Akadama. Plan was in next repot, to cut back tap root to point of newly formed proximal roots. Pretty amazing job.

I totally agree with the posts regarding the pads being too 'neat' for such a battered pine. Also too, rock too thick.