Another Shimpaku semi-bunjin

rockm · May 12, 2011

I'd hang on to that left branch...

As for getting stuck between a moyogi and a bunjin, I'd rather have good moyogi than a mediocre bunjin...

Just because the trunk is lean and battered doesn't make a bunjin obligatory.

Dav4 · May 12, 2011

rockm said:
I'd hang on to that left branch...

As for getting stuck between a moyogi and a bunjin, I'd rather have good moyogi than a mediocre bunjin... Just because the trunk is lean and battered doesn't make a bunjin obligatory.

My thoughts as well. Thanks for the input, Mark.

Dav4 · Apr 17, 2012

This one has been holding steady now for the last year...getting stronger despite the ever present spider mite. It may get worked on this year.

Dav4 · Mar 6, 2013

Here is another "anti-silly thread" response...

... and until others start posting pics of their trees, you'll all have to make due with pics of mine. This one had a 70% foliage reduction/wiring, and was re-potted into a nice round handmade pot made by a club member. The pictures never do this one justice. Still needs some tweaking, I think. Let me know if you agree...

Dav4 · Mar 26, 2013

Kathy made me do it...

Well, the tree was reduced more dramatically over the weekend...during a Kathy Shaner critique. I wasn't really happy with the current image, feeling that the canopy was still too heavy given the relatively thin trunk. Agreeing with and following Kathy's suggestion, I removed 2 branches...one was quite large and fell down in front of the trunk, obscuring it...the other was toward the apex and came from inside a curve. I'm still trying to ahng on to that lowest left branch, but I'm beginning to see the tree might be better without it. I'm in no rush, so the I'm going to try to work with it for another season, maybe two. I may re-wire the canopy again this spring, bu I need to stare at the tree for a few weeks, first. I included apicture from the top down for no particular reason other then completeness. Comments?

rockm · Mar 26, 2013

You're doing very well with it. Less is more with such a trunk.

Again, don't be too hasty with that first branch. I think part of the "problem" (if that's the right word) with it, is it is too "busy" with jin. Put your fingers over the jin in the front and the jin coming off the branch itself (and the jin poking up behind the trunk).

Eliminating (or minimizing) those jin makes for a cleaner look and the left branch becomes more of a defined part of the whole tree.

berobinson82 · Mar 26, 2013

I wonder how often a bonsai professional gives advice and the tree's owner absolutely cringes!

Dav4 · Mar 26, 2013

rockm said:
You're doing very well with it. Less is more with such a trunk.

Again, don't be too hasty with that first branch. I think part of the "problem" (if that's the right word) with it, is it is too "busy" with jin. Put your fingers over the jin in the front and the jin coming off the branch itself (and the jin poking up behind the trunk).

Eliminating (or minimizing) those jin makes for a cleaner look and the left branch becomes more of a defined part of the whole tree.

I definitely agree with the "less is more" sentiment. I guess my eyes have been focusing on the foliage and not seeng the jins as conflicting or confusing factors. I will reduce them shortly and see if that helps with the image. Thanks for the advice, Mark.

JudyB · Mar 26, 2013

berobinson82 said:
I wonder how often a bonsai professional gives advice and the tree's owner absolutely cringes!

Probably a lot. I wonder how many times the owners feel pressured, and do something they regret...

I really like this tree as is, and I agree with rockm, it's easier to "see" without all that extra...
I would keep that branch though, it's beautiful -the sinuousness it has.
What is up with that one root that is above the soil? Keeping?

Dav4 · Mar 26, 2013

berobinson82 said:
I wonder how often a bonsai professional gives advice and the tree's owner absolutely cringes!

I don't think I've participated in a critique or workshop where I havn't cringed at least once...I guess that's how you know you're getting your money's worth

.

Dav4 · Mar 26, 2013

JudyB said:
Probably a lot. I wonder how many times the owners feel pressured, and do something they regret...

I really like this tree as is, and I agree with rockm, it's easier to "see" without all that extra...
I would keep that branch though, it's beautiful -the sinuousness it has.
What is up with that one root that is above the soil? Keeping?

The roots on this tree are a bit messy, with many of the thicker ones being above the ground in a octupus like tangle. I have been slowly reducing the live roots on the root I think you're referring to...it will either be eliminated or jinned at next re-pot.

aidan13 · Mar 26, 2013

I drew up this virt as a possible avenue you might take if you decided to go full bunjin. I'm speaking more from esthetics than experience here, as I'm definitely a beginner, so if this not feasible, than please let me know!

My idea is that you could do away with everything but what appears to be the third branch down from the top, on the left side, then grow that out, as in the virt. That is just the tree that I saw, however. There are probably dozens more that I didn't. Just my two cents.

Dav4 · Mar 26, 2013

That's a good virt...thank you. I'm not sure if I want to be that minimalistic with this material...yet. I'm going to work with most of the existing foliage and see where it gets me. Thanks again.

Tona · Mar 26, 2013

I like where the tree is going right now.
Tona

A Random User · Mar 26, 2013

I know I am only a "pompous argumentative ass"...

But,

I wanted to say, that I really like this tree.
and good job... keep up the good work.

Martin Sweeney · Mar 26, 2013

sawgrass,

I totally agree.

Martin

A Random User · Mar 26, 2013

Martin Sweeney said:
sawgrass,

I totally agree.

Martin

Careful... Mr. Sweeney, or you might be responsible
for the "ruining" of Dave here's thread, that he has had
going since 2010...

Si Nguyen · Mar 26, 2013

Another cool tree Dave. I think you're heading in the right direction. Less is more. You need to remove a few more branches and move the apex to the left a bit more. Here's how I see it. Did I ever sketch this tree out before? It seems very familiar to me.
Good luck!

Waldo Street Pottery · Mar 27, 2013

Definately a cool tree Dave, it was one of the more interesting ones Kathy put a spin on for sure. Keep it up!

Dav4 · Mar 27, 2013

Si Nguyen said:
Another cool tree Dave. I think you're heading in the right direction. Less is more. You need to remove a few more branches and move the apex to the left a bit more. Here's how I see it. Did I ever sketch this tree out before? It seems very familiar to me.
Good luck!

Great virt, Si...very Penjing...I like it alot. If you ever have sketched this tree, you probably would have posted it in this thread. As someone else noted, the thread's been around for a few years, so maybe you did but forgot to post it. Honestly, you have sketched many of my trees...always a great design and wonderfully done. I think we could make a compilation of them and sell them

.

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