First forests Dawn Redwood and Acer Palm.

[MorddexxBonsai]

These are my first two attempts at forest. First ones is 9 Dawn redwoods and the second is 5 acer palmatum. I realized after I finished that on the acer one I didn't do a good enough job of making the placement look random.

 

[penumbra]

I didn't do a good enough job of making the placement look random.

You gotta start somewhere. They look fine. You might give it a year and add a couple more maples.

 

[MorddexxBonsai]

You gotta start somewhere. They look fine. You might give it a year and add a couple more maples.

Thanks, they were fun to put together I definently like the forest planting aspect of bonsai. I will make more in the future. Had so many of my japanese lilacs sprout that I think I'll use like 15 of those once they get bigger. Adding more maples in the future to the acer one is a good idea definitely will keep that in mind.

 

[RKatzin]

Good looking start! Making forests is never a done deal, it's a process.

 

[Adair M]

What do they look like from the front?

The dawn redwood looks like the tallest one is on one side. It should be somewhere near the middle.

 

[BackyardBonsai]

I would just let them grow for a year or two while researching into what type of arrangement I like to achieve. You have plenty of time to change your mind.

 

[penumbra]

The dawn redwood looks like the tallest one is on one side. It should be somewhere near the middle.

Which is fine unless you are following a formula.

 

[Adair M]

Which is fine unless you are following a formula.

Formulas exist because they produce good results. Especially for beginners. Once you have mastered doing things “by the book”, then experiment to your heart’s content.

All of bonsai “art” or “styling” is intended to create a “pleasing” image in the long run. What’s “pleasing” may vary for each Viewer, but there are generally accepted guidelines such as “balance” and “depth” and “movement”, etc that all combine to create that image. It is the artist’s manipulation of those elements that creates order out of chaos. Most humans prefer order to chaos. Your mileage may vary.

 

[penumbra]

Your mileage may vary

Yes it may.

 

[MorddexxBonsai]

Here are some better front pictures that were asked for.

 

[MorddexxBonsai]

My favorite video for forest inspiration that I've seen so far.

 

[MorddexxBonsai]

What do they look like from the front?

The dawn redwood looks like the tallest one is on one side. It should be somewhere near the middle.

There are some small trees on the outside but this is just a start. The dawn redwoods are two different ages all the small I grew from seed this winter.

 

[MorddexxBonsai]

I would just let them grow for a year or two while researching into what type of arrangement I like to achieve. You have plenty of time to change your mind.

That is my plan. Just started bonsai in Nov 2019 so I have a lot learn and apply to my trees as I learn it.

 

[MorddexxBonsai]

Update pics of the forest which are growing well especially the dawn redwood.

 

[penumbra]

They look great. You are off to a good start. Listen to what others may say about the design / layout, but don't get distracted by it. Have fun, you have lots of time to modify things as you go along this path.
I have studied the principles of design and I will continue to do so, but nature is my primary teacher.
Forests are Fun.

 

[MorddexxBonsai]

Winter update pic of the redwood forest.

 

[MorddexxBonsai]

My first two forest are good the dawn redwoods grow way faster than Japanese maples. Here are some update pics. New slab style pot on the way for the redwood forest will repot in spring.

 

[MorddexxBonsai]

Late summer pic update of my forest trying to get an idea of how the pot I chose for it will look. It will go on a slab pot in spring.

 

[MorddexxBonsai]

Fall colors showing on redwood forest definitely needs repot it pushing out of the training pot. Will use muck to repot it onto the slab previously pictured.

 

[Bonsai Orange County]

I think it looks great. Super encouraging for a newby like me (who also has a Redwood Forest and plenty of JMs!) Do you know if your maples are Katsura Japanese Maples? The young leaves look similar and those are some of my favorites. Nice work and look forward to seeing the redwoods in that slab.