Maiden69
Masterpiece
Probably, I think those branches were needed because of the huge pot it was in. Once the tree is compressed, I don't see a need for their existence given the dimension of the pot and the location of the deadwood.
The Tornado
- Thread starter IzzyG
- Start date
gooeytek
Shohin
That is a pinnacle specimen. Big kudos for taking on the stewardship.
Japonicus
Imperial Masterpiece
Congratulations Izzy!
WavyGaby
Shohin
Thanks for sharing the journey with us. I saw this tree in person at Bjorns 2022 open house and I was blown away.
I'm having a hard time seeing the details with the dark lighting so please keep the pics coming!
I'm having a hard time seeing the details with the dark lighting so please keep the pics coming!
RODERLO
Mame
I’ll probably catch flak for doing this, but pulling a few photoshop sliders reveals the details:
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IzzyG
Shohin
The Tornado recovered exceptionally well since the repot this past Spring and was ready for its new styling. I knew I wanted to continue the provenance of one top American artist to another and so had Ryan tackle the work. The tree will eventually need a repot to finalize the planting angle and to fit it into its final container. I was surprised by the more traditional styling that Ryan went with but also understood maintaining some level of continuity from where it was from.
Faisal Ahmad
Mame
I hope this tree can be like your tree izzy. Awsome
TomP
Yamadori
I like where you are going with this. I had the honor of working on it with my class at Bjorn's a few years ago--cleaning deadwood and applying lime sulfur. Easily the greatest tree I have ever personally worked on.
badatusernames
Omono
I have to agree
I got to see this in person at Bjorn’s nursery and it was fantastic. I think it’s more dynamic with his angle and as @Bonsai Nut points out the deadwood feels to vertical now
I also tend to like Bjorn’s more traditional Japanese style and don’t always like deadwood hanging over the pot like that, so that of course heavily influences my opinions
But the photo is very dark so it’s hard to tell exactly, and I’m looking forward to seeing it styled - feels like trying to critique something before it’s complete isn’t always going to be productive. Glad it went to a good home and is getting a lot of thought and consideration!
badatusernames
Omono
That’s helpful, should have flipped to page 2 before commenting
Seeing the base more clearly now, I understand better
Still think the deadwood was more powerful and dynamic in the original position, but there’s always going to be trade offs I suppose!
I’d love to hear Bjorn’s opinion!
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Ply
Mame
Interesting to see Ryan styled the tree with a 'round' look, rather then the more triangle shape it had before. Did he mention anything as to why the change? Great tree, looking forward to see its future.
Ruddigger
Omono
I actually like the angle change, but the styling isn’t very harmonious
WEI
Yamadori
probably an unpopular opinion, but I think the base was a flaw in the original design.
I think that the new angle 1) feels more settled (though still somewhat precarious) and 2) importantly, keeps the tornado theme while looking more like it came out of the high mountains. the diagonal tilt of the deadwood came at the cost of basal power. re: point 1) ironically, I also think Kimura, Ryan's teacher, would've done something similar to this tree. see Kimura's work below:
on point 2), a Google search of old RMJ/sierra junipers turned these up. you can see a lot of them have most of their spiraling deadwood pointing fairly straight up, with the thickest point of the tree at the very base, often perched on cliffs. the new angle is more aligned with how similar trees grow in nature.
the trees that have deadwood that thick pointing in another direction seem to consistently have very thick anchors
that said, I think there's room for a better, maybe bigger pot. looking forward to what's next for this specimen
I think that the new angle 1) feels more settled (though still somewhat precarious) and 2) importantly, keeps the tornado theme while looking more like it came out of the high mountains. the diagonal tilt of the deadwood came at the cost of basal power. re: point 1) ironically, I also think Kimura, Ryan's teacher, would've done something similar to this tree. see Kimura's work below:
on point 2), a Google search of old RMJ/sierra junipers turned these up. you can see a lot of them have most of their spiraling deadwood pointing fairly straight up, with the thickest point of the tree at the very base, often perched on cliffs. the new angle is more aligned with how similar trees grow in nature.
the trees that have deadwood that thick pointing in another direction seem to consistently have very thick anchors
that said, I think there's room for a better, maybe bigger pot. looking forward to what's next for this specimen
clem
Chumono
Hello, you mean the foliage on the right is too big ?
imho the tree is far better now than before.. it is incredible.
It reminds me this famous Japanese juniper ->
My2cents, i made a virtual by tilting it to the left by 3° with a new pot ->
And another virtual with less foliage on the right... maybe too classic/orthodox ? but i like it VERY MUCH
->
It is definitly a dream tree and it has a bright future whatever its future development
