Juniper Restyling Discussion

[DrBonsai]

At the recent 41st Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition, I was admiring this Juniper which won second place in the show.
Co-incidentally, a picture of the tree from the Sept. 2016 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition was also present in the
issue of the BCI Magazine that was available free at the show. Upon further research I found that this tree won
2nd place in the Artisan's Cup held in Sept. 2015.
I found it interesting to note some subtle differences in its development and why the artist made the changes

.
.................. 2015....................................2016...................................2018...................

I was curious to hear other opinions about the changes.

 

[chicago1980]

I believe the original styling was by Ryan Neil and the latest styling was by Mauro.

This is such an amazing tree in person.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

I really like the direction change to the left, the tree looks so much stronger!

 

[Cypress187]

That left branch is moved so low, it's almost disrupting my view of the lower part of the trunk line, could also be the angle of the picture.

 

[sorce]

This was not a very captivating tree IMO...

Big. ...but thats it.

I liked the old look.

That movement is hidden now.

S

 

[mattspinniken]

This tree is incredible in person. In my opinion the tree has too much foliage especially low. The extra foliage low gives this tree too much of a shrub like appearance. Amazing material and really powerful tree though.

 

[fore]

I too like the first styling. The r. branch that was removed really added to the movement of the tree. Much more static/boring now imo.

 

[Dav4]

I too like the first styling. The r. branch that was removed really added to the movement of the tree. Much more static/boring now imo.

... and obscuring that awesome deadwood down low on the trunk is a sin!!

 

[fore]

HI Dave. I guess one can ask, what's better deadwood? The little piece of newish dw, or the awesome twisty trunk with old interesting dw. jmho )

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

The tree suffered from how it was displayed. Being out in the center of the gallery there were too many distractions visible behind it. No matter what side of the tree you approached there were usually people or other trees behind it, making less easy to ''see'' the lines of the tree for the busy background. I ended up walking past it hardly noticing it.

 

[defra]

I like both ways tbh
What type of juniper is this?

 

[Adair M]

The original styling featured multiple smaller pads of foliage. The latest styling has fewer, larger masses of foliage.

On a large tree like this, I prefer the styling that has the smaller pads. I believe this lets the eye (and the birds) “fly thru”.

On the other hand, the original image looks “freshly styled”. I believe this tree probably would have appeared best about two months after the Artisan’s Cup. Still featuring small pads, but a bit “softer”.

All that said, it’s a magnificent tree! And seeing it at different times shows how on going maintenance and restyling can after the appearance of our bonsai. Bonsai is NOT just the creation of a tree from raw stock, it is the on-going maintenance and improvement of the trees over time.

 

[River's Edge]

At the recent 41st Annual Mid-America Bonsai Exhibition, I was admiring this Juniper which won second place in the show.
Co-incidentally, a picture of the tree from the Sept. 2016 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition was also present in the
issue of the BCI Magazine that was available free at the show. Upon further research I found that this tree won
2nd place in the Artisan's Cup held in Sept. 2015.
I found it interesting to note some subtle differences in its development and why the artist made the changes

.View attachment 206891View attachment 206892View attachment 206893
.................. 2015....................................2016...................................2018...................

I was curious to hear other opinions about the changes.

I find it difficult to judge given the different levels of photography! The 2018 image is at a huge disadvantage in how it was photographed. Even with that disadvantage I prefer the new image, particularily the more open feel and balance. In the previous two stylings i find the right branch too obvious and the foliage to congested. I suspect if the new style had a proper background and better lighting the effect would be amazing.
The recall seeing this at the Artisans cup and it was very well done, the photography and presentation was second to none at that show.

 

[MichaelS]

The lower left branch does nothing for it. Amazing material though!

 

[Vance Wood]

Personally I would like to see the tree styled so as to exhibit more of the trunk and branch structure, that's just my opinion and I don't expect anyone to agree with me; just my preference. I think too often we style a Juniper to look more like a bush than a tree.

 

[Mike Hennigan]

It is overgrown in my opinion, it looked much better in 2015 when you could appreciate the trunkline more. Now it’s buried under foliage.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I did see this tree in person in 2018, and like I said, the way it was displayed really hurt the image. It needed a backdrop, or to be in an alcove. It is an large impressive piece. Comparing the 2018 image to the 2015 image is not valid due to poor image quality, you can't see the tree in the second image.