Getting there with my three favorite (best) trees

[Dav4]

These trees began their journey toward being bonsai with me less then a decade ago. Early in their development, the year to year changes were dramatic, but not so much anymore. Still, with each year's passing, they get just a bit better.... Pics from this morning.

 

[Poink88]

Very nice trio.

A critique.

I feel that the first tree will benefit with some thinning on the left side and have most of the foliage at the crown and right. Something like this then thin and wire the branches to form better "pads".

Just my personal taste though, so it may be totally wrong for you.

 

[coh]

Dave,

What I can see looks good, though I think you need to adjust the brightness/contrast especially on the second and third image. Any chance you have "before" shots from when you acquired the material, or at least some progression images somewhere?

Dario, I think I see what you're trying to accomplish with the virt - adding some asymmetry to the foliage mass. The problem I see in your virt is that the tree now appears to be a green mass sitting on top of a pile of dead wood. I like having some foliage partly hiding some of the deadwood as it seems to integrate everything better. Curious about Dave's future plans in that regard.

Chris

 

[JudyB]

Wow Dave, your JRP is looking so happy this year! What a beauty. You know I have JRP envy...

 

[Adair M]

What I see now, is these trees are ready for the tedious and time consuming effort required for "refinement". This is when we use the 20 and 22 gauge wire to wire every twig and build those pads . It would probably take me two full days of wiring to do each tree. Maybe more.

Great stuff, Dave!

 

[Dav4]

you can find the progression thread for each tree here

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?1211-Yamadori-Rocky-Mountain-Juniper
http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?4552-My-Japanese-Red-Pine
http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?7158-Mavis-my-yew

As far as Dario's suggestion, He's spot on that the tree needs more asymmetry. The cascading right branch has always been wired to provide the lowest foliage pads. Unfortunately, the end of that branch has also been relatively weak, and has consistently lagged behind the rest of the tree. Earlier this summer, I wired that portion of the branch up in an effort to strengthen it...you can see the result. The branch will hopefully get placed lower again as it develops more vigor. Another option is to remove the lowest portion from the left main branch, but not nearly to the extreme of Dario's virt. I could see someone styling the tree like that, but I'd think you'd have to pull the right branch in even closer to the trunk, and we've already established that the branch isn't the strongest, so that would be quite risky imho.

 

[Dav4]

What I see now, is these trees are ready for the tedious and time consuming effort required for "refinement". This is when we use the 20 and 22 gauge wire to wire every twig and build those pads . It would probably take me two full days of wiring to do each tree. Maybe more.

Great stuff, Dave!

I'm currently working 40-50 hours a week...maybe this fall/winter. By the way, I've got a spare bedroom if you're interested.

 

[coh]

Wanted to see the details in those second 2 images so figured I'd post brightened versions.

 

[fore]

you can find the progression thread for each tree here

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?1211-Yamadori-Rocky-Mountain-Juniper
http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?4552-My-Japanese-Red-Pine
http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?7158-Mavis-my-yew

As far as Dario's suggestion, He's spot on that the tree needs more asymmetry. The cascading right branch has always been wired to provide the lowest foliage pads. Unfortunately, the end of that branch has also been relatively weak, and has consistently lagged behind the rest of the tree. Earlier this summer, I wired that portion of the branch up in an effort to strengthen it...you can see the result. The branch will hopefully get placed lower again as it develops more vigor. Another option is to remove the lowest portion from the left main branch, but not nearly to the extreme of Dario's virt. I could see someone styling the tree like that, but I'd think you'd have to pull the right branch in even closer to the trunk, and we've already established that the branch isn't the strongest, so that would be quite risky imho.

Dave, maybe try some redistributing strength by cutting back on top but leaving the primary branch grow unhindered? Seems this would over time get the strength to that very important branch.

 

[Wee]

I don't normally like pines much but this one is real nice and may just change my mind about wanting one.

Brian

 

[Paradox]

All are very very nice.
Thanks for the update.

 

[Dirty Nails]

You the man Dave, you the man.

 

[Dav4]

Dave, maybe try some redistributing strength by cutting back on top but leaving the primary branch grow unhindered? Seems this would over time get the strength to that very important branch.

That's what I've been doing. I don't think I pruned the tip of the lowest right branch back at all last year, and only lightly thinned it this spring. Unfortunately, spider mites weakened some of the foliage there recently, so it's still lagging.

 

[fore]

Too bad Dave, but at least you're on the right track. And further along than what I've been able to do so far on mine. It's def. a tricky two steps forward, one backward

 

[Dav4]

Thanks to all those who posted. Working these 3 trees and watching them grow and develop has been such a delight. As Adair has mentioned, to get them to the next level in refinement will take an extraordinary amount of work, and my schedule with work and family obligations is daunting to say the least. I certainly hope to find the time to do justice to these trees and their potential...hell, I even bought the copper wire to do it! Still, my kids are only kids once and they're growing up way too fast and I don't want to miss any more of their childhood then my work schedule requires. These trees will hopefully be alive and kicking when my youngest heads of to college...in 6 years. I'm in no rush, and I can live with them in their current state for now. Thanks again for the compliments.

 

[JudyB]

Well if you ever need a babysitter for JRP in the meantime... but you should never part with that baby (at least to me) as I might not send it back!
You are right to have your priorities as you do, too many people realize too late what you've already figured out.

 

[Adair M]

Gremel's wire? I might interested! Lol!!

My kids are off at college, I have time to wire.

Back in the day, I used to wire while watching Monday Night Football. I might have gotten one branch done a game!

Maybe you could do something like that. Pick one to work up for the show next year.

Really working one up is good practice, and develops the eye. Too often, myself included, I'd do the basic wiring, but skipping the detail wiring, thinking I'd either come back and do it later, or rationalizing that the tree isn't quite ready... Well, it never gets done.

That last step is what takes the tree from, "nice tree" to "Wow!!"

These all have "Wow!!" potential.

Maybe later this fall, you pick a day, I'll come down and help you wire!

 

[Dav4]

Gremel's wire? I might interested! Lol!!

My kids are off at college, I have time to wire.

Back in the day, I used to wire while watching Monday Night Football. I might have gotten one branch done a game!

Maybe you could do something like that. Pick one to work up for the show next year.

Really working one up is good practice, and develops the eye. Too often, myself included, I'd do the basic wiring, but skipping the detail wiring, thinking I'd either come back and do it later, or rationalizing that the tree isn't quite ready... Well, it never gets done.

That lady step is what takes the tree from, "nice tree" to "Wow!!"

These all have "Wow!!" potential.

Maybe later this fall, you pick a day, I'll come down and help you wire!

The piecemeal application of wire this fall/winter is a given...as you say, "a branch here, a branch there". I'm still hopeful to get it all done, but won't make any promises. By the way, Adair, I may take you up on your offer, very generous...but I'd feel obliged to head up to your place to save you the travel.

 

[october]

Outstanding work! In general, it takes so long to get a tree to an almost finished level. However, what is awful and makes it worse are the set backs. Fungal and insects problems can set you back years. That is, if it doesn't kill the tree. Your trees look very healthy.

Rob

 

[Adair M]

No worries about the travel, Dave. I drive a Tesla, electricity is very inexpensive!

You're probably 90 miles from me. Round trip, that's about $5 of electricity. I wouldn't even have to recharge at your place.

I'll let you know when I feel up to it. I'm having to sell a kidney to pay for my Intensives. Surgery is Thursday. I'll probably need a month to recover.