Japanese larch progression

[parhamr]

frankly think what your vision is a rather banal

No disagreement here! I’ll consult with some folks at BSOP to get this tree back on some sort of track.

At the very least, so far this tree has been great for improving my wire handling skills.

 

[parhamr]

In related news, I have recently acquired a Japanese Larch that’s a significant step up in quality from this one

It’s from Telperion. I won’t be unveiling it for a bit. I think I first want to feel like I’ve contributed to its advancement.

 

[0soyoung]

What?
If it needed to be kept under wraps, you shouldn't have blabbed.
Now it is too late!

Post it up, NOW.

 

[River's Edge]

Seeing as some thoughts were thrown out already. And because you have some new exciting material to work with. I would consider leaving the bottom branches for now to continue thickening the base. Also take a peak at starting a new apex to create better taper in the neighbourhood of just before the abrupt angle change.
I guess i am leaning towards losing the top idea. And a couple more years of thickening up!
PS: you are fortunate to be part of the Portland scene, lots of talented people to bounce ideas off!

 

[River's Edge]

In related news, I have recently acquired a Japanese Larch that’s a significant step up in quality from this one

It’s from Telperion. I won’t be unveiling it for a bit. I think I first want to feel like I’ve contributed to its advancement.

You have by acquiring it, think how lost it must have felt in those fields!

 

[parhamr]

Quick sketch of a taller, asymmetrical form

 

[AlainK]

Here is the bare minimum of what I plan to remove: (I might ditch that entire top section)

I've read this one and that's the kind of move I had in mind

 

[parhamr]

Well it’s still a mediocre tree but I made some big moves. I removed five lower branches, and I think three more of them could still go.

 

[misfit11]

Well it’s still a mediocre tree but I made some big moves. I removed five lower branches, and I think three more of them could still go.

I think that you've done a terrific job developing this Larch. It seems to have come quite far in a relatively short period of time.
My one suggestion is that you do a chop (indicated at the red line in the photo). I'm not sure if you were leaving it as a sacrifice, but my feeling is that by leaving that as the sacrifice to thicken the the trunk you will lose the nice taper that you've got. If you wanted to thicken the base then you should have kept the lower branch(es) and let them run as a sacrifice. I think chopping at the line gives you a nice rounded crown which is indicative of an older tree.
Anyway, that's my two cents. Nice work

 

[parhamr]

I'm not sure if you were leaving it as a sacrifice, but my feeling is that by leaving that as the sacrifice to thicken the the trunk you will lose the nice taper that you've got

Some part of the top has been sacrificial… it’s a little unclear as to which upper bud will grow the best direction. Now that I’ve looked at it enough, I like your idea for where to cut. That’ll remove a boring, straight piece and introduce good taper. Now I need to keep the top delicate.



Today I had a spare hour before BSOP so I unwired, removed one more branch, made some branch selection, and then jinned the stubs. The bark and nebari are moving along nicely.

Next steps:

1. Chop the top
2. Wire the jins to pull them down
3. Use more heavy wire to pull down and add movement to the branches
4. Continue the habit of regular pruning

 

[misfit11]

I like your plan. The only thing I would do differently is wiring the jins. My feeling is that they are too long as it is. Pines in nature do lose these lower branches and leave deadwood behind but they are relatively short in comparison to the tree. I would simply leave short stubs and not bother wiring them.

 

[parhamr]

I would simply leave short stubs

That’s the plan.

 

[parhamr]

Okay it’s about done for this late winter work. I think this will be the position for its repot next year:

 

[Hartinez]

Okay it’s about done for this late winter work. I think this will be the position for its repot next year:
View attachment 286012

IMO Reed, you’ve overly criticized yourself and this tree. Youve set this tree up very nice for a great future as a smaller tree. You’ve also documented a wonderful progression. Your jins and bark character will only improve with time and I could even see at least 1 more branch being Jined once the foliage and ramification has filled out. Nicely done from seed to snap shot.

 

[misfit11]

Nice!

Okay it’s about done for this late winter work. I think this will be the position for its repot next year:

Nice work, dude! The wiring, jins, and planting angle are right on. Keep us posted with pics after it buds out. Larches look so cool when they first begin to push.

Cory

 

[parhamr]

Oh, dang. It’s pretty good looking from this angle.

 

[parhamr]

Buds are popping. I don’t think I see any cones developing on this one (but my other Japanese larch has at least four!)

 

[Jorgens86]

Nicee

 

[WNC Bonsai]

What diameter are you at now?

 

[parhamr]

What diameter are you at now?

Dimensions in inches:
9x12 pot
15 height of tree
3.5 width of nebari
1.625 trunk diameter above basal flare