BYOT with Jan Culek

[Josh88]

I have really been itching to get into a workshop and get some deeper education concerning styling, and next weekend I will be attending a nine hour bring your own tree workshop with Jan Culek and hosted by Crataegus. I am thrilled to get to be a part of this day as I really like Jan’s work on yamadori and ceramics. I would like to get some input on which trees to bring. Two trees that I collected that I thought would be a good match for his style I collected about 18 months ago. My plan was to remove some native soil this spring and style them next fall, but I think they would be good choices for this workshop.
Mountain Hemlock from two possible fronts

Subalpine fir. Possible raft inspired or just a unique single tree.


My next options were collected about two and a half years ago and were also going to be repotted in spring and styled next fall. They are more vigorous than the others with the extra year of recovery, but I feel they have less potential. One I did a major bend two months ago on. Both lodgepole pine.

Next options have been bonsai for some time but we’re not super healthy when I got them and look ready to work now. First is a JWP that was likely grown from a cutting. It’s a nice tree but I don’t see great potential. A better eye would see more.

And a shimpaku I did some branch placement with and let grow unchecked.

I’m looking for some input on which of these to bring. Please feel free to chime in on which and why. Thanks!

 

[JudyB]

I only have one suggestion, don’t take anything that isn’t vigorous and ready for work. Also take more than you think you should, so the options are available. Have fun there is some nice material there.

 

[PABonsai]

I wouldn't take the first one because it has the absolute least that can be done. One of those really bushy ones would be a nice time filling project. I like that subalpine fit and the shimpaku as candidates.

 

[0soyoung]

Like @JudyB said

don’t take anything that isn’t vigorous and ready for work.

After that I would suggest taking things in which you see little potential, because these are the one's you are most likely to benefit from

get some deeper education concerning styling

You've clearly tagged your JWP

First is a JWP that was likely grown from a cutting. It’s a nice tree but I don’t see great potential. A better eye would see more.

Personally, I think you could use a lot of help with either of your lodgepoles. These are maybe more akin to Jan's wheelhouse.

 

[Josh88]

The workshop with Jan this weekend was a wonderful experience, and I feel great about the work we accomplished with my tree.



I really appreciate the input you good folks offered in preparation for this workshop. I brought this fir, the two lodgepole pine, and the JWP. Since the focus of the workshop was to go step by step from cleaning to detail wiring, I felt the fir had the most to offer for a nine hour day. Jan was a pleasure to work with and offered great help and advice every step of the way without taking away any of the opportunity to do the work yourself and practice the techniques we were discussing. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to work with him if you get it, and I certainly look forward to his next trip stateside.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Nice work, I like the fir. Well done.

 

[Josh88]

Nice work, I like the fir. Well done.

Thank you very much Leo

 

[PABonsai]

Very cool result. It looks great. I'm glad you had such a good time.

 

[sorce]

Nice

I wanna see it in a classic tall Cascade pot as a semi Cascade.

Dope.

Sorce

 

[Josh88]

Nice

I wanna see it in a classic tall Cascade pot as a semi Cascade.

Dope.

Sorce

Thanks man! I'm definitely gonna be pot shopping for it now. I'd love to see it in one of Jan's rock creations, but I'm afraid I'd have to sell off one of my kids. We'll see how well they behave...