Youpon Holly Styling

[bonsaibp]

Hey Everyone Help with this Youpon Holly Styling

Since the group juniper styling generated some interest and because you guys and gals in the frozen states are itching to do something bonsai related I thought we'd try a group styling again this time with a Youpon Holly. There are two to chose from the first is a male and has a nice fat lower trunk . The next is a female- that produces tons of berries every year, has a smaller more slender trunk and the possibility of maybe a twin trunk.
Here is the first

And a couple of different views of the base.

 

[bonsaibp]

And here is the female. Which should we work on?

A couple different views of the base

So what do you all think the male or the female? Any styling ideas? I'll clean them up a bit tomorrow so we can get a better look inside the trees but first we need to decide which one. So lets hear those ideas- virts are awesome as well.

 

[edprocoat]

Bob I would work on the male. The side in picture #3 shows a great thick branch coming off to the right with close to the trunk branching that looks like an inch or so away from the trunk. I would chop it there and develop the top from that part. Then again you may be asking about styling the tree with what you have and I am lost on that .

ed

 

[dkraft81]

I like the first tree and number 3 as the front. I like the flare of the base.

 

[berobinson82]

I'm on the boys team.

 

[Poink88]

First tree side #1...depending on the nebari. Side #2 is great trunk and branches wise, but the nebari is not as nice.

 

[fraser67]

I'm going to get in line...same. Far more interesting than the female...although I'm sure you could make me eat my words lol.

 

[berobinson82]

I'm going to get in line...same. Far more interesting than the female...although I'm sure you could make me eat my words lol.

Aren't the female species always able to do just that?

 

[bonsaibp]

Surprised at all the chauvinists here.
If possible I'd like to develop something from what we have rather then chopping and starting all over. Though if that is what's best we'll do it. I'll clean up both trees a little tomorrow then see if it makes it a little easier to decide.

 

[Beng]

I'd use the second female tree side 4 and I'd graft a male branch to it so it will fruit on its own. The males trunk is better but it won't fruit much and berries are the best part of hollies. You can still do something nice with the female and the berries will make it better then the male. The trunk will continue to flare and improve with time.

 

[bonsaibp]

For me the grafting is a nonstarter. I just like working with what the tree has, besides I have dozens of males to service the ladies

 

[Beng]

I have dozens of males to service the ladies

If the ladies l have that many men around why sweat the graft totally agree but I'd definitively use the female!

 

[bonsaibp]

Ben care to say why you'd use the female?

 

[Poink88]

... I'd definitively use the female!

I am straight so, I would too! LOL (wait what are talking about? )

 

[Beng]

Ben care to say why you'd use the female?

Sure, only female trees bear fruit. Occasionally a male tree will fruit but it'll be very sparse. That female will be covered in berries. I picked that particular angle as its elegant and has proportional taper. The other angles of the trunk are straight or show a bit of reverse taper.

 

[bonsaibp]

So you're considering the berry production as the prominent feature? I'm thinking more of the tree and it's shape then the berries. I kind of look at them as a bonus. I to think this could be an elegant looking tree.
I'm cleaning both up today so we'll get a better look.

 

[bonsaibp]

Ok I got things cleaned up a bit, maybe now it'll be easier to make a real choice. This time ladies first.

And this would be my choice for the front of this tree.

 

[bonsaibp]

Now for the male.

So ladies and gentlemen where do we go from here?

 

[CHUCHIN]

After initial restyle Pic 1 and definitely the male (I am straight

It has better feet from that angle(nebari) and movement from base to Apex. Great taper... Love his bottom

Both are nice trees...

James

 

[bonsaibp]

Anyone else have an opinion? I know there is no shortage of them around here.