I just dont know what to do with this!

[Staceymo]

I've had this tree for years now, just wondering what to do with it. I made a bit of a start a couple of years back, but now I'm at a complete dead end.
Any suggestions gratefully received.

 

[Pitoon]

That would be a fun tree to wire up and contort.

 

[Cedar Groove]

To my eyes, the last picture might be a good front side. Another possible might be to lay it down in the pot and try a cascade. The exposed roots at the Nabari might even give you some height to do a root over rock cascade with the trunk giving you some potential dead-wood. I'm glad you didn't give up on it. I think you've got something if you can just figure out what it's saying to you. Great job on the siding on your shed!

 

[BunjaeKorea]

Heres a rough idea

 

[bwaynef]

I'd start just by cleaning it up. Bottoms, unnecessary crotch growth, and growth near crotches. Then remove improper structure.

 

[Captain.Bonsai]

At first glance it reminded me of a Monterey cypress. I scribbled on the side that caught my attention. Obviously the deadwood is a factor I didn’t consider/include in my sketch. Food for thought. Good luck.

 

[Staceymo]

Thanks all, definitely some food for thought. I think my problem is that I'm trying to make it something its not, whereas your sketches let it be what it is. Deep eh?
Thanks again

 

[sorce]

Deep eh

Nice. Real!

The side views are kinda shit as far as the base is concerned, and that's where you're supposed to start.

That last view though, nice wide base, that seems could get wider if rotated counterclockwise a tad.
Seems you'd pick up more trunk movement from a couple degree turn too.

Not only is the base wide, but the structure of the branches mirrors the base, we appreciate this.

Can we see that last pic taken at the best angle of wide base/trunk movement please.

Maybe a series of pics around that entire 45’¿
It would make a good study.

Sorce

 

[Staceymo]

I'll get on it

 

[Forsoothe!]

Wire every branch and move them around. Make clouds and more than anything else, space between clouds, then shape the clouds.

 

[Staceymo]

How's this?

 

[Captain.Bonsai]

The side views are kinda shit as far as the base is concerned, and that's where you're supposed to start.

That last view though, nice wide base, that seems could get wider if rotated counterclockwise a tad.
Seems you'd pick up more trunk movement from a couple degree turn too.

Not only is the base wide, but the structure of the branches mirrors the base, we appreciate this.

Sorce

^best response yet.

The new pictures tell the correct story for where to begin the rethinking process.

It appears that the planting angle has been manipulated to alter the trunk angle..?

The better views of the base are from the side that leans towards the viewer.

 

[sorce]

How's this?

Awesome!

How they compare with the visible trunk movement at each angle is important.

Any chance you can get the whole tree?

From here...there are a couple capitol Wide bases.

Where the high root shows is Nono.

But you have greatness before that!

Sorce

 

[Staceymo]

OK, got some visitors today so no playing I'm afraid.
What I will do later is to prop up the pot to get the tree more vertical and take some shots with the widest base.
Just out of interest, I've just found this photo from the year 2000. This tree has been bugging me off and on for 19 years!
I should have binned it years ago, it's set back my bonsaiing no end.

 

[Staceymo]

Finally got a dry 5 minutes so took some pics.
I've straightened the trunk up a bit (could probably do with a bit more) and taken some of the new front with the widest root.
What do you think?

 

[defra]

Just a thing that comes to my mind, out of the box and unique but not a totally impossible story:
A tree fallen over were two branches survived and grown out as individual trees upon the slanting trunk


Rotating the pic on my phone made it go zoom in a bit but you get the idea

 

[sorce]

I dig @defra Idea because to get out of you a catch 22, you be got to a be creative.

The catch 22 is the taper proportions are only correct when the entire foliage goes back the wrong way. 8738 and 8739.

With the entire story changed, the taper proportions become useable again.

Sorce

 

[leatherback]

Use the deadwoon to bring in the main trunkline. Pull down branches and tilt the tree 15 degrees to the right. Something like this is also an option I think; sorry for the crappy virtual:

 

[defra]

Made aa sketch, I'm a horrible drawer but I'll just show it anyway!

 

[Staceymo]

Hi, sorry for the late reply guys. I've just got back from holiday. I'm liking Defra's idea, kind of a raft style but keeping the original root.
I think this is the way I'll go as the branches are just too thick to do much else with. I think I'll try it with 2 trees as the first sketch to start with
although the second sketch also looks intriguing.
To work! Thanks again