I think this tree was ruined .... thoughts

[choppychoppy]

So this tree was posted on a facebook bonsai group. I said i thought personally that this tree was done a terrible disservice and really couldn't understand the process. Please give your opinions of this work. Thanks - trying to see the difference in opinion that maybe I can't see.

 

[Chris Frechette]

I would agree. So much more could have been done w/ that piece of material

 

[just.wing.it]

I guess they want future bunjin...?
I'd have used more branches to try to tighten it up and make pads.

 

[namnhi]

make a lemon into lemonade

 

[cockroach]

That tree smacks of a few people working on it as a group. After each has his/her way almost nothing left. Usually bunjin or cascade.

 

[wireme]

The final image reminds me of a old struggling swamp growing coastal shore pine. So stylistically, sure, just fine.
As far as doing that work all at once to what appears in photo to be a weak tree..., dunno doesn’t look right but we aren’t the ones standing there with our fingers in it.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Does it even have enough foliage left to survive?

 

[sparklemotion]

IMO, this tree isn't "ruined" unless it dies.

Style-wise, I actually like what was done. I'm not usually a fan of "literati"/"bunjin" style but this tree tells me a believable story of a hard life followed by just enough sun and water and calm winds to make a go at surviving. Life finds a way. Dr. Malcolm would approve. It's hard to tell at this level of zoom, but I might have turned the remaining foliage to lay more horizontally. maybe.

Horticulturally, I hope the owner knows how to (and will) provide appropriate after-care.

I'm curious, @choppychoppy, what would you have preferred to see done?

 

[GrimLore]

DAMN, they could of killed it and had it look decent... I OFTEN have to repeat to people working on trees here to STOP, Look at the tree from the top, trim for health, then style or change...

Grimmy

 

[Dav4]

I wouldn’t say ruined, but severely overworked which will set it back years, assuming it survives this insult.

 

[River's Edge]

So this tree was posted on a facebook bonsai group. I said i thought personally that this tree was done a terrible disservice and really couldn't understand the process. Please give your opinions of this work. Thanks - trying to see the difference in opinion that maybe I can't see.

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I would have preferred to attempt a sharp bend to reduce height and accentuate "struggle". So would have kept as much foliage as possible for the trees health. Then looked at the best option going forward. You can always create a bunjin with the little bit that is left in the end.
Agree with others that a more staged approach might have been appropriate. However, i do not know the strength of the tree or when it was last repotted etc.
if it survives a believable style is still quite possible.

 

[JudyB]

If this had not been done all at one time, I would say the results show promise for a nice bunjin (no not bunion style you $#@! spell check)

 

[GGB]

I dont hate what's left, totally... But that's a ton of options dumped in the garbage. not to mention the trees health

 

[choppychoppy]

IMO, this tree isn't "ruined" unless it dies.

Style-wise, I actually like what was done. I'm not usually a fan of "literati"/"bunjin" style but this tree tells me a believable story of a hard life followed by just enough sun and water and calm winds to make a go at surviving. Life finds a way. Dr. Malcolm would approve. It's hard to tell at this level of zoom, but I might have turned the remaining foliage to lay more horizontally. maybe.

Horticulturally, I hope the owner knows how to (and will) provide appropriate after-care.

I'm curious, @choppychoppy, what would you have preferred to see done?

I just feel this was the 5 min shock and awe approach. I just feel that this was very disrespectful of the effort that went into creating that foliage mass. A lot of options would have made better use of the material. Again this is just my opinion and was interested in what others thought.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I don't see a horrible direction. Not that you can clone a tree to have same branch placement. But give the same tree to any master bonsai artist...and he/she will come up with their own vision. Not always lining up with the next person.

Just as I changed the planting angle and direction of my wisteria...it's not for everyone. Thus I don't feel right discussing a tree...that one hasn't asked for our opinion...nor posted here on their own accord.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I like bunjin, but the taper is way off for a bunjin IMO. Maybe if they get real creative (destructive) with the deadwood/lifeline they can eek the design back out of it? The removed branches were too thick, though even with part of the right side of the bar branch I think it would be more balanced.

But, isn't your middle name choppy?

 

[Clicio]

I almost like it.

 

[jriddell88]

Looking at their wiring and branch placement , seems they didn’t have a plan together ? You can always cut it off , harder to put it back on , i think a more pleasing image could have been created from that nice foliage mass , looks sloppy and chaotic ,but what do I know

 

[Nybonsai12]

well at least he was brave enough to post his work. I've posted some equally ugly bastards here on bnut.

I would have tried to use more of the tree if I were him.

 

[sparklemotion]

Now that I've found the thread in question, I think that it's important to note that the tree was posted without requests for critique.

I am feeling like I should have gone in @Cadillactaste's direction and avoided commenting either way.

I am guessing that I would feel differently if this person were a professional, selling the tree, and/or held themselves out to be an expert as opposed to an enthusiast (maybe they are/do?) But right now if feels like we're just talking about this person's tree behind their back. Maybe this discussion would have been better to stay on FB?