Looking for inspiration with a silver birch.

[Graft]

Congratulations on getting it going. You've got the horticulture part down apparently.

Now you should be giving some thought to the artistic side of this adventure. I would be working with just this much of the tree. The problem, though, is that all three branches are on the backside in this view and should be in front. If you are determined that this shari is the feature of the tree, I think you need to focus on somehow making these branches turn this direction, reversing their present flow.

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I really like that, only thing is i've already bought a pot for a 16 inch tree!!!

 

[CWTurner]

I've done a bit of wiring on this tree, chosen a front and a planting angle.

Hey, that;s not bad. More than I thought the tree had to offer. Keep it going.
CW

 

[Graft]

Hey, that;s not bad. More than I thought the tree had to offer. Keep it going.
CW

Thanks!!

 

[Graft]

@HorseloverFat had the idea of clump on a raft. I have been giving that some thought.

If I plant it as per the photo below and thread graft a couple of new branches on to the live vein at the top. I think it would look pretty cool. (That is the pot I bought for it, but might need to go smaller if I plant it as a fallen log).







I think it would give me more options. What do you guys think?

 

[HorseloverFat]

@HorseloverFat had the idea of clump on a raft. I have been giving that some thought.

If I plant it as per the photo below and thread graft a couple of new branches on to the live vein at the top. I think it would look pretty cool. (That is the pot I bought for it, but might need to go smaller if I plant it as a fallen log).

View attachment 330068

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I think it would give me more options. What do you guys think?

That looks awesome!

When it comes time to pot, I would position the base of the raft EVER so slightly angled, like honestly “a teensie bit” To enhance the dynamic of that neatly-done deadwood “end”

 

[Graft]

That looks awesome!

When it comes time to pot, I would position the base of the raft EVER so slightly angled, like honestly “a teensie bit” To enhance the dynamic of that neatly-done deadwood “end”

Do you mean angle towards me or angle the right side up a bit?

 

[HorseloverFat]

the right side up.. not enough to destroy the “raft” components, but enough to give full view of that deadwood.

 

[sorce]

Nice pot .

Sorce

 

[Paulpash]

Congratulations on getting it going. You've got the horticulture part down apparently.

Now you should be giving some thought to the artistic side of this adventure. I would be working with just this much of the tree. The problem, though, is that all three branches are on the backside in this view and should be in front. If you are determined that this shari is the feature of the tree, I think you need to focus on somehow making these branches turn this direction, reversing their present flow.

View attachment 327969

Yeah I'd go with this virt, just wire the top shoot to the right. I know you said you wanted that dead wood to slowly rot but you'll literally have no trunk. It needs attention IMO - they rot very fast.

 

[Graft]

Nice pot .

Sorce

Thanks, I like it too! Very silver birchish in my opinion!

 

[Graft]

Yeah I'd go with this virt, just wire the top shoot to the right. I know you said you wanted that dead wood to slowly rot but you'll literally have no trunk. It needs attention IMO - they rot very fast.

As a raft, or as an informal upright? If I plant as a raft could I use wood hardener to stop the rot, or would this damage the live vein as it does soak in very easily.

 

[Graft]

Lets say I'm not married to the deadwood. This is the back of the tree. It would solve a few problems I think. I could put wood preserver on the deadwood as it would not be seen. The main branches are in front of the tree. And there are roots on this side of tree under the moss.

 

[Paulpash]

As a raft, or as an informal upright? If I plant as a raft could I use wood hardener to stop the rot, or would this damage the live vein as it does soak in very easily.

As an upright in @0soyoung 's virt. Having Birch wood in contact with the constant dampness of the soil will accelerate decay. I wouldn't go the raft route for this reason.

 

[Graft]

@Paulpash What do you think to the back of the tree, there's a photo above your last post.

 

[Paulpash]

@Paulpash What do you think to the back of the tree, there's a photo above your last post.

This is a possibility too, if you like the live wood side over the dead there's very little difference in line & taper between the two - which one floats your boat more?

I'd remove the jin / stub whichever side you choose if this were mine and cut it flush with the trunk. You'd never see a Birch with a stub like this - it rots way too fast. The only deciduous tree with long lasting jin deadwood that I've seen in the wild are "stag horn" oaks.

 

[Graft]

This is a possibility too, if you like the live wood side over the dead there's very little difference in line & taper between the two - which one floats your boat more?

I'd remove the jin / stub whichever side you choose if this were mine and cut it flush with the trunk. You'd never see a Birch with a stub like this - it rots way too fast. The only deciduous tree with long lasting jin deadwood that I've seen in the wild are "stag horn" oaks.

Thanks Paul, I will definitely do that. I might go with the live side after all. I'll see how I feel in the spring. But it would solve a lot of niggles.

 

[Forsoothe!]

I have a problem with trees like this. Normally, it's a given that all the parts of a tree have been created by and under the same forces and circumstances. Winds blow from the one direction against the tree. All the parts of a squat tree are thick & squat. Tall & skinny are words that fit together logically, -two parts of one metaphor. So much for the physical side of the equation. The art size may be less restrained because viewers are all over the map. No nice way to say it. But, if the eye of the beholder shoots around like a pinball from strong interest point to other strong points, especially when several are present, and the eye can't glide naturally along a clear, logically occurring path, then it's awful hard see a "design", authored by man or nature. IMHO. If it's hard to name, it's probably too far afield.

 

[Graft]

I have a problem with trees like this. Normally, it's a given that all the parts of a tree have been created by and under the same forces and circumstances. Winds blow from the one direction against the tree. All the parts of a squat tree are thick & squat. Tall & skinny are words that fit together logically, -two parts of one metaphor. So much for the physical side of the equation. The art size may be less restrained because viewers are all over the map. No nice way to say it. But, if the eye of the beholder shoots around like a pinball from strong interest point to other strong points, especially when several are present, and the eye can't glide naturally along a clear, logically occurring path, then it's awful hard see a "design", authored by man or nature. IMHO. If it's hard to name, it's probably too far afield.

Hi Forsoothe, I'm totally on board with what you are saying. As a professional artist, I understand the concept. But the more I practice my art the more the rules go out the window, the lines blur. This might be because of my particular discipline.

 

[Graft]

I'm a piss artist.

 

[HorseloverFat]

I'm a piss artist.

Reminds me of a book I particularly enjoy... “Confessions of a Crap Artist”... By Philip K Dick.