your first forrest

[Bolero]

Yes I have 6 or 7 Trident Maple that I am going to make into a Grouping, they are between 6" and 12" tall, young ones, I have an old 18" x 12" x 2" Ceramic Pot to place them in.....I'm thinking a Grouping with a River running thru it, lots of dead tree & branches for ground cover, small amount of Moss.
I will build with adding another 6 or 7 trees to the Grouping in May or early June.

 

[ColinFraser]

First Foemina Forest - say that ten times fast



I have at least one much larger tree in the works for some size variety in the future.

 

[Waltron]

I've got a couple ideas im playing with, I've gathered quite a few twisty little hop hornbeams with a planting in mind.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

For fun, this year I am going to see if I can make a forest out of a single tree. I have a strangely overgrown Catlin elm that is unworkable in its current state. Every time I look at it I see about 5 air-layers. In a few weeks I am going to start work.




This is what happens when you don't maintain an elm properly and only clip and grow for years. I bought this tree last spring and it was completely rootbound in a 5 gallon nursery container. Did major root work last year and let it rest the balance of the year.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

For fun, this year I am going to see if I can make a forest out of a single tree. I have strangely overgrown Catlin elm that is unworkable in its current state. Every time I look at it I see about 5 air-layers. In a few weeks I am going to start work.

Looking forward to it.

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

This is a collection of European Beech I bought from @William N. Valavanis I then used his blog post as a guide. https://valavanisbonsaiblog.com/2014/03/28/creating-a-beech-forest-bonsai/


The pot set up



The seedlings after a little root reduction



Before pruning to shape


After pruning



This was a much tougher project than I thought it would be. What's the trick for tree placement? Since the roots have been cut back, it's very difficult to keep them upright, let alone think about placement.

All in all I'm happy with my first forest.

 

[sorce]

What's the trick for tree placement?

Tieally, Creating a frame work under the soil to tie trees down to seems the easiest.

Visually, cardboard cutouts.

Naturally,
My special trick....

Take a hand full of change....
A quarter to represent your biggest tree..
A nickel to represent your secondary tree,
And enough pennies and dimes to represent the rest.....

Throw em in the pot.....

Place cardboard cutouts accordingly.....

If it looks good, Mark the postition and create your framework so you have tiedown capability where you need it.

No look good?

Throw the change again.

I figure a bit of "random" will look best..

Of course this can be modified....

Place your main trees and random the rest...
Use different coins for different trees...

Just my...
Handful of change!

Sorce

 

[Tentakelaertje]

Tieally, Creating a frame work under the soil to tie trees down to seems the easiest.

Visually, cardboard cutouts.

Naturally,
My special trick....

Take a hand full of change....
A quarter to represent your biggest tree..
A nickel to represent your secondary tree,
And enough pennies and dimes to represent the rest.....

Throw em in the pot.....

Place cardboard cutouts accordingly.....

If it looks good, Mark the postition and create your framework so you have tiedown capability where you need it.

No look good?

Throw the change again.

I figure a bit of "random" will look best..

Of course this can be modified....

Place your main trees and random the rest...
Use different coins for different trees...

Just my...
Handful of change!

Sorce

Damn Sorce, this is quality stuff!

 

[sorce]

Damn Sorce, this is quality stuff!

Only the change is mine....

Fits into the challenge I like of "letting nature" as with trunks, then styling a sensible tree around it.

I can't do it better than Ma Nature!

Work with her!

Sorce

 

[Arnold_K]

Hm,
if you really want to know about and how to do this bonsai-forests-thing,
my humble adding to this topic is:

https://www.amazon.com/Forest-Rock-Planting-Spruce-Bonsai/dp/0970439237

That is in fact the standard reference of composing forests.
A really cool book in every sense ...

 

[defra]

Cool bonsainut i am looking forward to your project!

@sorce thats just genius !

I might go and search larch seedlings and go try a larch group

 

[Oscar Soriano]

Hello everyone. Brand new to bonsai. Won this at a raffle at bonsai show. 1 Would this be considered a forest and 2 can someone help identify this tree please. It kinda looks like it might be just one or two trees. Roots are sticking out the bottom of the pot but it's also getting lots of good new growth so I guess tree is happy. I won't repot till next year right before spring. Gives me lots of time to study and gather what I need for successful repot. I plan to move it to the bigger pot underneath add Hills moss and scape. I will update my profile soon. Oscar is the name.

 

[petegreg]

Hello, first sight - coffea?

 

[Oscar Soriano]

Hello, first sight - coffea?

Nah, this one has alternating leaves. My very un scientific and nub research says it might be japenese beech. Maybe?

 

[Oscar Soriano]

Nah, this one has alternating leaves. My very un scientific and nub research says it might be japenese beech. Maybe?

Better pics.

 

[defra]

For fun, this year I am going to see if I can make a forest out of a single tree. I have a strangely overgrown Catlin elm that is unworkable in its current state. Every time I look at it I see about 5 air-layers. In a few weeks I am going to start work.

View attachment 133837
View attachment 133838

This is what happens when you don't maintain an elm properly and only clip and grow for years. I bought this tree last spring and it was completely rootbound in a 5 gallon nursery container. Did major root work last year and let it rest the balance of the year.

Nice you could also lay it down and make a raft

 

[mcpesq817]

Hm,
if you really want to know about and how to do this bonsai-forests-thing,
my humble adding to this topic is:

https://www.amazon.com/Forest-Rock-Planting-Spruce-Bonsai/dp/0970439237

That is in fact the standard reference of composing forests.
A really cool book in every sense ...

This is one of the best books in bonsai out there. Lots of sample layouts for various trees (and number of trees) that can easily be incorporated into a forest planting. The important takeaway is that white space really matters with forest plantings. Far too many people try to fill the pot with trees without thinking about incorporating white space principles.

 

[Bonsai toto]

Hello guys,
tree type - Beackea Frutcences
I'm thinking of finding a better pot in future, a slab perhaps? any suggestion will help. I have a forest set by nature(the position of each tree), dug out from the wild and never been separated to ensure the health of the tree as this tree is kinda 'sensitive' .
here I attached some of the initial stage and current stages.
really no option on placing the tree for better position, had to improvise and take whataver the tree provide. The tree I still under refinement and had a long journey ahead.

Toto

 

[Bonsai toto]

here I'll share in some side view

 

[defra]

Nice ! Now just let them establish well and stay healthy !