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What Style Would This Tree (in nature) Fit Into as a Bonsai?
TrevorLarsen
Chumono
Looks like a broom style if that is what you are asking. The lowest branches go fairly horizontal but I think it’s still a broom.
Applicative
Mame
Lingan style, principals of bonsai design, page 102. Fractal branches not in pads l, up and down in various directions.
penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
It is open for interpretation and even after decades I don't recognize all the terminology, but to me and my American bastardization it is a spreading oak style.
I don't see it all as a Broom style based upon texts. I have seen many trees offered as Broom style that are not. The picture is a classic broom style.
I don't see it all as a Broom style based upon texts. I have seen many trees offered as Broom style that are not. The picture is a classic broom style.
GGB
Masterpiece
I didn’t think it is any “bonsai style”. But why fit into a Japanese category? The tree you pictured (I like it btw) looks like something Harry Harrington would have on his bench. Just a nice naturalistic type tree. Not dynamic but peaceful and familiar looking.
Everyone has an opinion of course but, I don’t think it’s necessary to only produce/purchase trees that look like the “bonsai styles “ page of those beginner bonsai books. If you want to create one, great. Or buy one, awesome! But don’t force something to be something it isn’t.
Everyone has an opinion of course but, I don’t think it’s necessary to only produce/purchase trees that look like the “bonsai styles “ page of those beginner bonsai books. If you want to create one, great. Or buy one, awesome! But don’t force something to be something it isn’t.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Oak style.
Sometimes you will see people styling elms or maples like oaks... and this is what they look like
Sometimes you will see people styling elms or maples like oaks... and this is what they look like
Applicative
Mame
Agreed all the oaks in my area look like this, definitely interesting and always makes me think of bonsai stylingOak style.
Sometimes you will see people styling elms or maples like oaks... and this is what they look like
Michael P
Omono
Classifying trees in nature by classic bonsai "style" is sometimes possible but still essentially fruitless. Drawing inspiration from trees in nature is great, whether they conform to bonsai "styles" or not.
I put "style" in quotes because we use this term in bonsai unlike the way it is used in other art forms.
I put "style" in quotes because we use this term in bonsai unlike the way it is used in other art forms.
Cruiser
Chumono
Instead of categorizing its style a good exercise would be to analyze this trees form to conceptualize what makes it look this way.
I’d say it has a straight, singular, and dominant central trunk.
Primary branches start emerging laterally about half way up the tree and become more vertically oriented the higher you go, producing a somewhat globular canopy.
Unlike the trunk, branches are not straight but squiggly; the result of how oaks orient their buds.
Tree appears a little taller than it is wide.
Many open-grown oaks have a spreading growth habit that produces a wide shape relative to their heights. This tree likely had its lower branches periodically pruned which resulted in the shape you see. Or, it started life with other trees around it which favored more vertical growth.
Another roadside oak. 65.4” Similar growth characteristics.
I’d say it has a straight, singular, and dominant central trunk.
Primary branches start emerging laterally about half way up the tree and become more vertically oriented the higher you go, producing a somewhat globular canopy.
Unlike the trunk, branches are not straight but squiggly; the result of how oaks orient their buds.
Tree appears a little taller than it is wide.
Many open-grown oaks have a spreading growth habit that produces a wide shape relative to their heights. This tree likely had its lower branches periodically pruned which resulted in the shape you see. Or, it started life with other trees around it which favored more vertical growth.
Another roadside oak. 65.4” Similar growth characteristics.
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