my first yamadori, douglas fir

[catfish chapstick]

I have finally found a pot for this tree, for now, at least.. a rectangle with soft round corners. I changed the planting angle and rotated front to get more movement in the trunk line. The tree is tall and the branches are long. In my head I keep hearing Bjorn say "don't spaghetti the branches too much"
I had previously compressed the branches in towards the trunk to make a fuller, more pointed canopy. I can't really make up my mind with the overall silhouette. Also the first branch on the right is a mystery to me. I have bent it back across the trunk, which I know is weird, but I don't really want it sticking way out on the side opposite it's lean and I am not ready to cut it off, partly because the tree is so tall and the first branch already emerging so high up on the trunk.

Open to any feedback, criticism, or thoughts in general. what would you do with that first branch. Was the plant better before when it leaned more and had a more compressed canopy?

 

[The Barber]

Those low crossing branches kinda bug me, they hide the nicest feature of this tree, but otherwise I really like what you've done with it. Here's a quick AI removal I did with my phone, just so you can see it without. I'd adjust the plane the pads are on so they aren't so level on both sides if I went this route though, and possibly bring in a couple branches so it has a bit more asymmetry.

The pot looks great by the way!

 

[Colorado]

I think it’s looking good! I agree with @The Barber about that bottom right branch.

Not sure if it would be possible to bring that bottom right branch to the back? It could use some depth.

But I think you’ve got it headed in a great direction, just needs time now to get more foliage on the branches. Nice!

 

[catfish chapstick]

Those low crossing branches kinda bug me, they hide the nicest feature of this tree, but otherwise I really like what you've done with it. Here's a quick AI removal I did with my phone, just so you can see it without. I'd adjust the plane the pads are on so they aren't so level on both sides if I went this route though, and possibly bring in a couple branches so it has a bit more asymmetry.

The pot looks great by the way!

Thanks, I agree about the low branch. I do envision cutting it like you showed. a couple other branches i may remove also, to address the symmetry you notice. here is an image where I edited out the other branches I will likely remove. maybe that bit on the upper right also, eventually

 

[catfish chapstick]

I think it’s looking good! I agree with @The Barber about that bottom right branch.

Not sure if it would be possible to bring that bottom right branch to the back? It could use some depth.

But I think you’ve got it headed in a great direction, just needs time now to get more foliage on the branches. Nice!

Thanks, I thought the same thing about moving it to the back but I just didn't like how it made an even more prominent circular shape as it moved backward.

 

[The Barber]

Thanks, I agree about the low branch. I do envision cutting it like you showed. a couple other branches i may remove also, to address the symmetry you notice. here is an image where I edited out the other branches I will likely remove. maybe that bit on the upper right also, eventually

Personally I think that bit at the top right might be the future apex, and assures you will have foliage near the top of the trunk. @Colorado makes a good point, I hadn't noticed how 2 dimensional the branching structure appears to be, the downfall of photos though for ya. What does the tree look like from the reverse? Crossing the reverse that bottom branch won't be such an issue, and may be better suited

 

[mrfish33]

this is my first yamadori. I've been waiting my whole life for this. I don't have a lot of experience with styling conifers but I think instinctively i want to preserve the wonderful taper that this tree naturally has. does anyone have any thoughts on douglas fir cultivation or styling??

Great tree. A lot of potential.

 

[catfish chapstick]

I thought about everything that was said and made a few adjustments. I think this might be the best I can do for now, setting the structure. The tree just needs to fill in and gain vigor.

I changed the low branch that was crossing the trunk and I moved another couple branches to help with depth. Here are also some side photos. I think in the future I could see cutting off the low branch.

 

[Shogun610]

Cool tree.. my 2 cents … also use this opportunity to work on your wiring utilizing the entire branch .. you’ll be surprised to see how many possibilities and building for future can come out of it

 

[The Barber]

Subtle changes, I like it much better. Should be fun watching this tree develop!

 

[pandacular]

Cool tree.. my 2 cents … also use this opportunity to work on your wiring utilizing the entire branch .. you’ll be surprised to see how many possibilities and building for future can come out of it

whatsit that Ryan says...oh ya, "all the way out to the tips!"

 

[Colorado]

I thought about everything that was said and made a few adjustments. I think this might be the best I can do for now, setting the structure. The tree just needs to fill in and gain vigor.

I changed the low branch that was crossing the trunk and I moved another couple branches to help with depth. Here are also some side photos. I think in the future I could see cutting off the low branch.

Nice work, I think you’ve done everything you can for now. As you said. Now just needs time. I’d probably just let it grow next year if it was mine, and then come back in 2026 and prune and wire it again.

Looks great with the lower part opened up to show off that bark and nice trunk!

 

[Attmos]

Out of curiosity, how did you go about removing it from the ground?

I'd love to do this but I have a thing about killing trees needlessly. lol

 

[Attmos]

It's awesome by the way.

 

[catfish chapstick]

Out of curiosity, how did you go about removing it from the ground?

I'd love to do this but I have a thing about killing trees needlessly. lol

This tree was collected by Jon White Highdesertbonsai.com. He has some nice material for sale.

believe me, I know what you mean

 

[Attmos]

Gonna check out his webs

This tree was collected by Jon White Highdesertbonsai.com. He has some nice material for sale.

believe me, I know what you mean

Gonna check out his website now. Thanks.