Ohmy222
Shohin
# 3 go with the best front and make it work best you can.
Atlas Cedar... with apex moving away!!!
- Thread starter Adair M
- Start date
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Never define the front of a bonsai by the apex 
The first photo (of the tree from the side) should be your front. NOT because of the apex, but because of the nebari and the trunk line. All you have to do is wire up a new apex to the left and forward, and develop your branches a little bit more on the left than the right and voila! It is a pretty subtle informal upright, but I think it has very pleasing lines. To me that would be an exhibition tree.
The first photo (of the tree from the side) should be your front. NOT because of the apex, but because of the nebari and the trunk line. All you have to do is wire up a new apex to the left and forward, and develop your branches a little bit more on the left than the right and voila! It is a pretty subtle informal upright, but I think it has very pleasing lines. To me that would be an exhibition tree.
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just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
I vote for repositioning the apex over time....maybe slight angle change at repotting time could help too.
This, I was thinking the same.Never define the front of a bonsai by the apex
The first photo (of the tree from the side) should be your front. NOT because of the apex, but because of the nebari and the trunk line. All you have to do is wire up a new apex to the left and forward, and develop your branches a little bit more on the left than the right and voila! It is a pretty subtle informal upright, but I think it has very pleasing lines. To me that would be an exhibition tree.
planted just a tad deeper the nebari looks way better then the other “fronts” and I like the movement more too.
Lutonian
Chumono
Tenjin
. I vote play with the planting angle and try moving the apex with wire
. I vote play with the planting angle and try moving the apex with wire
Gene Deci
Shohin
Why not have it both ways? I had a tree that I showed one way when that appealed to me and the other when I liked that better. All it takes is rotating the pot!
0soyoung
Imperial Masterpiece
I find it interesting that a good bonsai tends to look nice from many, if not all, angles. The front, though, is the view that has the most visual impact or best conveys the story/message/image. There also may be other subtleties that dictate the front, aside from ones that have already been highlighted in the discussion, such as perspective = comparatively thinner branches is back, thicker in front.
Shogun610
Masterpiece
Option 3 and repot on a Jan Culek or similar style slab.
Zach Smith
Omono
Thank you, we're well but cold! I don't like this time of year, have to dream of spring to keep going.
I hear ya. I brought my olives in for a couple days.
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
I don’t think slab is right for this one either.
justBonsai
Omono
Hey Adair,
How's it going? I recently acquired a very nice multi trunk atlas cedar I will repot and style later in 2021. It's also a green.
As you mention it's hard to gauge the tree strictly from photos. I take your word for it that the current "back" is the better front--it is more open and I like the subtle movement. In the side profile of photo one, the nebari is more powerful but branches are more obtrusive and front facing in addition to the movement being something to be desired. Perhaps there is a compromise with slight angle rotation from the new front that would showcase a slightly bigger nebari. Of the current 3 photos I do like your choice the best.
Is it not possible to place a rebar along the trunk and pull the apex towards the new front? In my limited experience of wiring some atlas cedars so far, they seem very pliable and soft to bend.
How's it going? I recently acquired a very nice multi trunk atlas cedar I will repot and style later in 2021. It's also a green.
As you mention it's hard to gauge the tree strictly from photos. I take your word for it that the current "back" is the better front--it is more open and I like the subtle movement. In the side profile of photo one, the nebari is more powerful but branches are more obtrusive and front facing in addition to the movement being something to be desired. Perhaps there is a compromise with slight angle rotation from the new front that would showcase a slightly bigger nebari. Of the current 3 photos I do like your choice the best.
Is it not possible to place a rebar along the trunk and pull the apex towards the new front? In my limited experience of wiring some atlas cedars so far, they seem very pliable and soft to bend.
Yosemite Goat
Mame
I like the dark contrasting nebari and trunk line from photo #2. With some foliage movement you'd be able to see more of the trunk.
Great minds think alike! I was looking at it today considering that option. I have not decided on a plan of action.
Meanwhile, does this tree look familiar?
justBonsai
Omono
Great to see! Normally I'm not on forums so much anymore, but I was tested positive for covid and had to quarantine! I had just received the results of a second confirmation test today that said the result was negative
. Not sure what to make of it, but more time inside than usual.maroun.c
Omono
Far from being at the level of giving u advice Adair but heres my thoughts.
Atlas cedar is considered by many to be a subspecies of cedar of Lebanon (cedrus lebani) or at least they look a lot alike.
Contrary as to what many think, and despite being a high elevation tree with heavy snow coverage, cedar develops very wide branches and very wide apices. Possibly the small needle leave size helps in decreasing snow load and weight.
Also the apex on ancient cedars is wide and many times slanting.
Natural growth shape is branches go up then out then get frequently elbow due to broken parts over the years ( guess this one is hard to swallow for many in bonsai design)
What this means looking at your tree is you could develop wide triangular pads and separate them a bit, then make ur apex very wide over few years and wire it so it comes to the front and slants even if the main support is rather on the back it'll look as a front apex.
Ryan Neils had an episode about a Lebanese cedar and apex was left at the back, it looked a bit weird as u say but was beautiful. Not sure if can share a pic of his content but his tree was inspired by one from lebanon ill share a pic of the wild tree here, 1st pic in the set of pics below . Check branch growth on last pic
Atlas cedar is considered by many to be a subspecies of cedar of Lebanon (cedrus lebani) or at least they look a lot alike.
Contrary as to what many think, and despite being a high elevation tree with heavy snow coverage, cedar develops very wide branches and very wide apices. Possibly the small needle leave size helps in decreasing snow load and weight.
Also the apex on ancient cedars is wide and many times slanting.
Natural growth shape is branches go up then out then get frequently elbow due to broken parts over the years ( guess this one is hard to swallow for many in bonsai design)
What this means looking at your tree is you could develop wide triangular pads and separate them a bit, then make ur apex very wide over few years and wire it so it comes to the front and slants even if the main support is rather on the back it'll look as a front apex.
Ryan Neils had an episode about a Lebanese cedar and apex was left at the back, it looked a bit weird as u say but was beautiful. Not sure if can share a pic of his content but his tree was inspired by one from lebanon ill share a pic of the wild tree here, 1st pic in the set of pics below . Check branch growth on last pic
leatherback
The Treedeemer
yup, make that side image your front. Good nebari. Trunk with interest. Just thin /rewire the branches a little, maybe tilt to the left a few degrees.
