Ok, let's have an objective look at the trees.
First Bill's. And let me say it's a nice well developed bonsai which has had much dedication put into it. I see that. However, the problem with bonsai forums at the moment is that everyone seems to be frightened of critique and in-depth discussion. Perhaps they are concerned about their personal standing in the bonsai community? I don't know. I don't care. I've held comments back myself many times because I sometimes think it's not worth the effort. But if we are to deeply understand different perspectives and opinions, we need to take a particular tree apart branch by branch and study as much as a 2 dimensional image will allow. If we are to improve and develop, I think it's very important for as many people as possible to give their honest assessments so we can all contemplate them and compare them with our own views. Personally, I'm not too precious to listen to the most negative comments to any of my trees. In fact, I would prefer them over compliments as they are always more honest and thoughtful.
Firstly, I talking about material quality and potential. This is always more important than age IMO.
So, in that light, I will overlook the fact the scots pine is older, fuller, more developed and has mature bark.
The nebari has a rather one sided and unsettled appearance which is not easily rectified at this late stage. Although not impossible. I don't necessarily mind one sided nebaris but this one betrays the pot grown history of the tree and the fact that the positioning of the tree was considered more important than early root work.
The first branch is too linear and we can see no detail in it as we would on a developed scots pine of this age. This does not add to the illusion but detracts from it. Obviously we cannot see how the branch is attached to the trunk but as is, it almost looks like it has been artificially ''stuck on''
The second branch is more interesting but wired down in the boring fan shape again with no apparent detail as are all the branches. Also this branch seems to have been kept to fill in a space rather than a as a truly interesting and integral part of the tree.
In my opinion, this branch should be removed.
The overall look of the tree in quite ordinary and it gives me an impression of tameness. Not very natural.
Thinking more about it, it may very well be that the tree could be restyled into something truly special.
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Your tree.
This tree has greater potential than the one above. First, the movement is far more interesting. (better even than Adair's favourite white pine which has an ugly bow in the trunk and always will have)
It has a wild - even if slightly conventional look and with careful consideration of not falling into the trap of wiring all the branches into one flat plane, or hinding all the branches, it will develop this ''wildness'' as it grows. The nebari needs very little work to become quite interesting and powerful.
All in all, the bones of this tree are far superior than the bones of the scots pine. IMO!
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