Green Island Ficus
(Ficus microcarpa 'Green Island')
Style: Informal Upright
This tree was one of my first real pieces of "Bonsai" stock I ever bought, when I first started doing Bonsai about 10 years ago now. When I first bought the piece of material it was actually planted at an angle, as is apparent in the third photo... For years it remained as such and actually was developed, and a lot of time was spent on the tree in my earlier days, but I never really found myself happy with where it was headed. It then sat for a couple more years, just having basic maintenance done on the tree, until a two years ago, when I decided to take it in a totally new direction. Which funny enough usually would be a big no-no in bonsai, turning the tree trunk straight up and down taking all the movement away, which is probably why it had been planted at an angle before... but I like it! I think it gives the tree power, and the crossing aerial roots give it character and movement, so I think it works!
Also, I created, and will be creating more small uros, all up and down the trunk, to add to the character, and the appearance of age.
First picture, was today. Second, another European pose for my buddy Smoke, Third, was from about 3 years ago, after I had greatly reduced the tree in mass and size... searching for a path forward. Sorry no photos previously before that. Last, was from a year and a half ago, after the trees angle had changed. At the time of the transition, it had been defoliated, had a "V" notch cut into the portion of the trunk I wanted to now be the continuation of the tree, and the heavy branch bent up. Photo is after the tree fill back in.
Since then, the work that I have done, has been mostly trying to establish more ramification, within the tree. Wiring and positioning branches. and growing other areas out. I am still working the nebari, in the area of the tree's front, which if one looks at the third picture you will see, when the tree was tilted, was below the surface, and covered in very heavy roots, which were removed.
Lastly, I wanted to touch on the pot, it is a Tokoname, that I spent $400 dollars on, that originally was bought for another tree... which didn't work out for it, but really seemed to play the part for this tree.