First cuts, critiques welcomed...

[Big Sky Little Trees]

Well, after many years of admiring the labors of this art I have made the leap. One week in and I think I am here to stay.

I started with inexpensive material just to get a little sap on my tools. I live in zone 4b so I opted for a dwarf Alberta Spruce and a “Green Mountain” Boxwood from the local big box store.

I have made initial contact with a local club and plan on attending the meeting in a couple weeks to begin a deeper dive on local circumstances, though I have been diving down the YouTube rabbit hole and have been taking the search to other place around the internet as needed which brought me here.

I figure in preparation for the club meeting I would share a couple pictures of my beginner clippings to calm my nerves before the gathering.

I plan on delving into local soil recommendations and species tolerances at the meeting. I was gifted a set of black steel tools for my recent birthday so I at least have a good start there.

I engage in many art forms and have shown publicly many times in various mediums from music and writing to painting and spoken word so I am accustomed to the sting of criticism and critique. I welcome your thoughts to improve my art as I begin this life long journey.

Many thanks, cheers...

(Before and after photos)

 

[QuantumSparky]

Looking good! I'm assuming there are a few sacrificial branches still on those trees so there isn't much to critique on branch choice. For the spruce, are you keeping it straight and tall? The trunk has some natural movement at the base so it may be interesting to try wiring the trunk if you're into that style on that species. It might help with the awkward gap in foliage 2/3 up the tree.

All that to be taken with a grain of salt though, I've only been doing this for a month xD

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

Montana? Another in a week? Nice!

Peep.. https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/poetry-thread.20383/

Sorce

 

[Tieball]

Alberta Spruce…..ahhhhh….my first tree. I was very proud of my pruning. And then. This became the tree I pruned and killed within the first season. I'm confident you’ll have better skills than I did. You have a better start.

 

[Big Sky Little Trees]

“I'm assuming there are a few sacrificial branches still on those trees so there isn't much to critique on branch choice. For the spruce, are you keeping it straight and tall? The trunk has some natural movement at the base so it may be interesting to try wiring the trunk if you're into that style on that species. It might help with the awkward gap in foliage 2/3 up the tree.

You are correct regarding the sacrificial branches on each of the specimens.

As for the Spruce, each of the lower layers has enough branches to keep for thickening while offering a range of choices for pairing in later iterations. I left quite a few moving toward the apex to help with thickening as well.

Also, the picture I originally posted hid some aspects for future development.

(I posted in the middle of night. I didn’t realize I hadn’t taken a more revealing shot and couldn’t get a better photo.)

I agree regarding the awkwardness of the negative space you mentioned, though right where that space opens up the trunk actually divides into a twin trunk.



My plan is to allow both to help strengthen the lower trunk for the next few years or so and then I think I may make a choice and turn one into a jin, and then I think I can bring some of the eventual larger branches from the apex region down to help address the negative space issues.

I think this tree will remain more of a formal upright composition.

As well, with some of the sacrificial branches on the lower trunk I think I may add some jins to carry the design.

As for the Boxwood, again there are sacrificial branches to help bulk up. I was able to find the trunk and I really like the base, so now I am just going to take my time as with the Spruce and see where we compromise in future iterations.

“Montana? Another in a week? Nice!”

Yup... Montana, Big Sky Country...!!!

...and yes, another in a week... hahaha.

When I commit to a new activity or pastime I usually dive in head first... sink or swim.

I will check out the poetry thread, thanks for the lead, may even cast some prose as well.

Alberta Spruce…..ahhhhh….my first tree. I was very proud of my pruning. And then. This became the tree I pruned and killed within the first season. I'm confident you’ll have better skills than I did. You have a better start.

In one of the videos I watched recently the narrator offered that the “first” tree often becomes a victim rather than a bonsai. I can relate.

I hope to escape that narrative yet only time will tell. With the spruce, I have noticed fresh budding even in the apex since repotting so I think I will leave it mostly to its own direction for the rest of the year and see what Spring offers.

Given my location, and past life experiences, I have an intimate relationship with pine and spruce forests. I have always loved the wilderness, so of the given selection when I went to buy some beginner material the spruce stood out to me. When I attend the local club meeting I plan on finding good deciduous species options for my area as I love the aspects of the leafy varieties as much as the conifers.

Thanks for the input folks, it is very much appreciated. I look forward to bringing my perspective to the community.

 

[sorce]

Big Sky Big Why Big need to Fly.

Sorce

 

[Big Sky Little Trees]

Big Sky Big Why Big need to Fly.

Sorce

For rain and wind yet casts the westward sky,
even still by evening’s fall the Sun may yet fly.

Why...?

For love of life and land and that forever sky.

 

[hinmo24t]

beautiful state!!!!! USUS. that guy who survived two grizzly attacks in the same outting though...wild

nice trees

 

[Big Sky Little Trees]

beautiful state!!!!! USUS. that guy who survived two grizzly attacks in the same outting though...wild

nice trees

A beautiful state for sure...

...and bear encounters are real. I have been on trail in the backcountry within about 15 yards of a young bear.

The sun was just about go over the western ridge, so I set my pack down to add a layer of clothing. As I was digging in my pack the young bear came through the brush and was on the trail before it even noticed me.

It was so close I could see the droplets of water on its fur from walking through the brush. It was very picturesque, yet every hair on my body was standing on end. The bear, its fur, and the thousands of water droplets glowed in the late afternoon light.

When the bear noticed me a moment later we just kind of stood staring at each other for a brief time that seemed like an eternity to me.

The bear snorted a noise telling me it was aware of me then turned and sauntered up the trail in the same direction I would be headed. So I just decided to take a LONG break in the meadow and give the bruin its space.

It was quite an unnerving experience being alone in the wilderness, though since I lived to tell the tale, it was also a spectacular experience.

Take the wilderness VERY serious, Nature is very powerful yet with beauty beyond reckoning.

 

[Agriff]

Hello fellow 4b-er! Coming from a beginner who has literally never styled a single piece of nursery stock before, looks good to me (lol). I wonder what the risk is of a whorl/inverse taper developing on the spruce in that area right below the negative space. Since the more advanced folks haven't commented on it I'm guessing that's not a cause for concern at the time being?

 

[hinmo24t]

A beautiful state for sure...

...and bear encounters are real. I have been on trail in the backcountry within about 15 yards of a young bear.

The sun was just about go over the western ridge, so I set my pack down to add a layer of clothing. As I was digging in my pack the young bear came through the brush and was on the trail before it even noticed me.

It was so close I could see the droplets of water on its fur from walking through the brush. It was very picturesque, yet every hair on my body was standing on end. The bear, its fur, and the thousands of water droplets glowed in the late afternoon light.

When the bear noticed me a moment later we just kind of stood staring at each other for a brief time that seemed like an eternity to me.

The bear snorted a noise telling me it was aware of me then turned and sauntered up the trail in the same direction I would be headed. So I just decided to take a LONG break in the meadow and give the bruin its space.

It was quite an unnerving experience being alone in the wilderness, though since I lived to tell the tale, it was also a spectacular experience.

Take the wilderness VERY serious, Nature is very powerful yet with beauty beyond reckoning.

thanks, good story and what an experience. i know what you mean about nature and try to be prepared, theres only so much you can prepare for though. i surf with great white sharks in morning and sundown for awhile so i know all too well. the storm swells have enough power to take people out and ive had a couple humbling moments out there over the last 20 years

need to see yellowstone and yosemite at some point

 

[HorseloverFat]

I love the wilderness... I used to see more bears.. BEFORE i was bringing my “HorseadmirerSkinnies” with me... they are.... brutes.. .. very LOUD brutes. So CERTAIN treks REQUIRE silence.. people.. require certain times of silence.
My lone voyages are always rich with wildlife... not many bears this LAST year.. but Foxes, Deer, porcupines, Salamanders, snakes, all’th’varmin.. and occasionally a Wolf. More often, simply wolf droppings or tracks. Bald Eagles and Turkey Vultures too.. not to moistly mention scads of fish.

I used to see more bears when I lived in the Eau Claire area.

 

[Big Sky Little Trees]

Hello fellow 4b-er! Coming from a beginner who has literally never styled a single piece of nursery stock before, looks good to me (lol). I wonder what the risk is of a whorl/inverse taper developing on the spruce in that area right below the negative space. Since the more advanced folks haven't commented on it I'm guessing that's not a cause for concern at the time being?

Greetings...

To be honest, coming from my other creative pursuits, I am very open to free rein on interpretation.

In my painting, music composition, writing, etc, etc, etc...often unforeseen beauty can be found in an unobstructed attitude.

In many art forms, I find “traditional” constraints can help and/or hinder, and understanding is key to progression.

I found this video very interesting...

It is critique forum at a bonsai show. The speakers are “professionals” and the diverse show of opinion is eye opening. It is a long video, but I found it very informative, as well it offers a broad cross section of interpretation regarding technique, tradition, artistic license, and public regard.

In my young years as a poet I learned that every piece of work has an intended goal. Some art is for public show, some for general audience, some for specific audience, and some is just for because.

As I was learning music at university, many of the upperclassman composition/theory students would say something to the effect of, “hurry up an learn the rules so you can break the ones you want, use the ones you choose, and forget the ones you don’t care for.”

There is reason and purpose to tradition and foundational study, so I am not trying to imply that one should turn a blind eye toward a master’s tutelage, yet innovation often comes from the least expected circumstances.

I have seen some truly amazing wild specimens while in the woods that break all conventional understandings of typical growth pattern.

I am yet a novice taking my first step into the bonsai realms, though from previous experience in other art forms I would caution a rookie, as well as a master, with any medium, to be wary of limitations beyond natural barriers.

With this being said, I thank you for the insight, and have opened a further research tab regarding inverse taper and whorls that I may further understand reasonings, limitations, and any pitfalls or adverse effects.

As you stated, we are fellow 4b-ers and novices alike, so I would challenge you to dive in if it in your heart’s desire.

 

[Big Sky Little Trees]

“...need to see yellowstone and yosemite at some point.”

Yellowstone resides VERY close to my heart.

Go whenever the chance presents itself.

Like any National park, take it for what it is, try and look beyond the crowd if it is busy when you go.

Yosemite is beautiful, and I would definitely recommend the Utah parks, but any and all National parks, state parks etc are worth a visit. There is good reason for why these places exist in their current form.

 

[Agriff]

I would challenge you to dive in if it in your heart’s desire.

Thanks!

I am very open to free rein on interpretation.

In my painting, music composition, writing, etc, etc, etc...often unforeseen beauty can be found in an unobstructed attitude.

In many art forms, I find “traditional” constraints can help and/or hinder, and understanding is key to progression.

For sure! I totally understand where you're coming from there. I agree that it's important to not get too hung up on "rules" for styling, especially because so much can be done to create beauty in other ways

opened a further research tab regarding inverse taper and whorls that I may further understand reasonings, limitations, and any pitfalls or adverse effects.

My understanding is that inverse taper is something to be aware of simply because it's one of the big ways in which trees end up breaking the optical illusion of having a miniaturized version of a very very old tree in a container. You're right that you can find all sorts of trees in nature but I think our brains are trained to think "big base, smaller trunk", especially when it comes to gigantic specimens. I think part of taper also has to do with creating that feeling that you're at the base of a giant tree looking up.

That being said, I'm not even sure whether the way you have this tree styled is in danger of creating inverse taper and/or a whorl. I also understand it takes quite a long time, so you probably have ages before you have to make any decisions about it.

 

[Big Sky Little Trees]

I love the wilderness...”

“So CERTAIN treks REQUIRE silence.. people.. require certain times of silence.”

I concur on all accounts.

Life in the woods is awesome, and a good reason for why we bring it home in a little pot.

Bonsai, in my ever so short experience, has already brought me closer to the wilderness and fanned the flames of my desire to get out under the canopy of trees and sky.

 

[Big Sky Little Trees]

“I surf with great white sharks in morning and sundown for awhile so i know all too well. the storm swells have enough power to take people out and ive had a couple humbling moments out there over the last 20 years.”

I am in awe of accomplished surfers. My sister and all mother’s family is all from Southern California.

A buddy and I tried renting boards at Mission Beach in San Diego. It was TOUGH...

...when we got home to my sister’s place she laughed at us. Turns out it was the onset of storm surf that day.

Knowledge is power, and can save your life, as well it can help create lasting beauty in the bonsai we tend.

 

[Big Sky Little Trees]

“My understanding is that inverse taper is something to be aware of simply because it's one of the big ways in which trees end up breaking the optical illusion of having a miniaturized version of a very very old tree in a container. You're right that you can find all sorts of trees in nature but I think our brains are trained to think "big base, smaller trunk", especially when it comes to gigantic specimens. I think part of taper also has to do with creating that feeling that you're at the base of a giant tree looking up.”

Now that you mention it I am pretty sure there is a point in that video that they discuss inverse taper and it’s effects on negative space and the illusion of age.

Again, thanks for the insight...

...see even rookies have something to offer.

 

[hinmo24t]

I am in awe of accomplished surfers. My sister and all mother’s family is all from Southern California.

A buddy and I tried renting boards at Mission Beach in San Diego. It was TOUGH...

...when we got home to my sister’s place she laughed at us. Turns out it was the onset of storm surf that day.

Knowledge is power, and can save your life, as well it can help create lasting beauty in the bonsai we tend.

I thought you meant ocean beach SF for a second. Glad you got out/attempted to in socal

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