slant/windswept

[timberdoodle]

Hello all. I'm new here, but I have grown bonsai for several years. I'd like your opinion about slanting and windswept styles of bonsai.

I have a yamadori spruce I'm considering for one of these styles. I note when viewing photos on the net, in books, etc. these styles are shown usually with the trunk sloping to the right. To my eye, this the most pleasing presentation, but I'm wondering if you see this the same and if you have thoughts on why this is so. I familiar with most of the concepts of bonsai styling, but I'm flummoxed as to why right sloping appears more attractive. Any thoughts?

For the yamadori I have, the trunk presents better sloping to the left (more interesting trunk movement), but I'm not keen on the overall appearance of the tree that way.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Interesting question.
I had not heard of this belief - that sloping to the right is better.

In my eyes or belief, I would say the direction depends on what the view of the best base and surface roots are visible.

If both sides are close to the same, then I would pick the best trunk line and structure.

Pics?

 

[Ruddigger]

Slant is easier to pull off than windswept. It would help to see the tree.

 

[Empty Mountain]

For the yamadori I have, the trunk presents better sloping to the left (more interesting trunk movement), but I'm not keen on the overall appearance of the tree that way.

In my opinion the best direction for windswept/slant style is the direction that shows the best base/trunk movement/branch placement of the tree etc.

You should just style the tree in a way where it has two fronts and can be shown from either side (slanting right and slanting left) then you won't have to sacrifice the more interesting trunk movement.

 

[Eckhoffw]

In my opinion the best direction for windswept/slant style is the direction that shows the best base/trunk movement/branch placement of the tree etc.

You should just style the tree in a way where it has two fronts and can be shown from either side (slanting right and slanting left) then you won't have to sacrifice the more interesting trunk movement.

Well put.

 

[timberdoodle]

Thanks, everyone for your suggestions. I'm at least a year out from actively styling the tree, so, plenty of time to mull it over. I still wonder about the preponderance of right sloping trees; perhaps a subconscious affinity for that direction (after all, most folks are right handed )

 

[RoadManDenDron]

I have actually had a conversation with a well regarded local styler that many people 'go to' left to right direction because that is the way we read.

I have noticed many trees moving that way but it's important to look at the tree and choose a front based on the tree,

If we identify a bias in our preference of direction we owe it to the material to challenge the bias and use the best front we have available regardless of personal tendencies.

 

[Shibui]

I have actually had a conversation with a well regarded local styler that many people 'go to' left to right direction because that is the way we read.

I have noticed many trees moving that way but it's important to look at the tree and choose a front based on the tree,

I had a similar discussion while staffing a club display. When we looked at the trees in the display there were, indeed, more with the right bias. While we may have some innate bias toward right sloping trees I would always style the tree to suit the material. If left works better then left it should be.
Maybe some left handed bonsai growers could chime in and let us know if more of their trees lean left?

Looking at high level Japanese bonsai displays we need some left and some right trees when mounting muti tree display as the supporting tree usually seems to lean toward the larger tree?

 

[timberdoodle]

I like it, following the way we read. FYI, I'm left handed (although I bat right).