Corkbark JBP, Kyokko Yatsubusa

[Brian Van Fleet]

Some photos are around the forum on this, but no thread, so here's the development of this one since purchased from Don Blackmond in fall 2008. The backdrop here is a standard card table, for a bit of scale:

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

From 2009...

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

In fall 2010, some light pruning.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

2011, filling in.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

2012, after wiring in late '11.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

2013, fattening up, but the height and ladder-like structure needs to be addressed.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Finally, shortened in fall 2014, and lower left branch removed.

 

[fredtruck]

This is a nice progression, Brian. The last photograph seems to be missing. I'm anxious to see how you've changed the tree.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

And a current shot after more pruning, needle pulling, and some wiring...

 

[edprocoat]

Brian the last photo seems to show some reverse taper just above the bottom branch. Is this just the effect of the photo or was it from being wired there ?

ed

 

[fredtruck]

This tree in its current state is much better than it was. Good work. You've had a breakthrough in concept and design!

 

[mcpesq817]

Nice work - that must have been a bit of an anxious moment shortening the height. Looks great!

I think the progression shows a good example on how many, if not most, trees, won't thicken too much when in a bonsai pot. Ground growing aside, it's more time effective to buy a trunk size you want and work down, than to buy something small to grow into a tree.

 

[tmmason10]

Looks great Brian! You always make me want to work with jbp again.

Ed, I have seen much worse inverse taper on corkbark jbp, this is not bad enough to warrant any action.

 

[Adair M]

Ah, ha!

You DID apply the rebar!

Looking good!

 

[Nomiyama]

Good job Brian I like what you did. It needed to be done, and the tree looks better now with these calculated changes.

Chris

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Nice work - that must have been a bit of an anxious moment shortening the height

Yes, but it was really at the point where it needed to happen, so in a way it was also a relief!

Ed, I have seen much worse inverse taper on corkbark jbp, this is not bad enough to warrant any action.

No reverse taper in that area, it has growing ridges and a bend in the trunk; not sure what he was seeing. Photos can be tricky.

You DID apply the rebar!

Oh yeah...got a good 2" of twisted wire moving the upper trunk to the front and right.

Still contemplating the design without the first right branch...

 

[Nybonsai12]

Trees looks great shortened. No more ladder like structure like you stated. Goes to show how dedicated you are to building better trees, because a chop like that on a tree of this caliber takes some balls. Thanks for sharing your progress.

 

[Jester217300]

My opinion doesn't count for much but I prefer it without the first branch. It's a little too big for my taste and removing it really heightens the negative space you've created by removing the second branch. It also makes the trunk a main feature which it really should be with a cork bark variety. The first branch is so big that I find it's almost my main focal point on the current tree.

Have your cuts been flush? Or are you leaving jin? I can't tell if you recut your stubs or just photoshopped them out.

 

[tmmason10]

Tough call on the first branch. Would you try layering it? That branch layered would probably be te best tree on my bench. If you chopped it, would you cut flush? Jin?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Thanks guys. It is a tough call, but it probably will be removed at some point down the road when the other branches are a bit further along. The tree is 24" high, and the first branch is 18" long x 2.25" thick, so I'll take my time!

The cuts have been made flush, and on this one, I'd likely cut flush in the wintertime and use cut paste.