Looking for inspiration with a silver birch.

[Graft]

Reminds me of a book I particularly enjoy... “Confessions of a Crap Artist”... By Philip K Dick.

I'll have to get a copy.

 

[Graft]

In all seriousness @Forsoothe! is right. I DID do photography both as a hobby and semi-professionally for some years and you do need a focal point in art. Maybe 2 sometimes. But you can't have too many things going on. Which is why I'm going to simplify the design somewhat.

 

[BobbyLane]

i would keep the main trunk as is, somewhat upright. i wouldnt reduce the height of the live branch, but carry on training it up as a trunk that was originally a thick branch that grew off the main trunk after the main trunk suffered major trauma, thousands of such trees all over the UK landscape.
IMG_4512 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

here's an example a hornbeam from another forum

IMG_8322 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

mother nature is the best teacher

 

[Graft]

i would keep the main trunk as is, somewhat upright. i wouldnt reduce the height of the live branch, but carry on training it up as a trunk that was originally a thick branch that grew off the main trunk after the main trunk suffered major trauma, thousands of such trees all over the UK landscape.
IMG_4512 by Bobby Lane, on Flickr

here's an example a hornbeam from another forum

Great photo! I will start with the whole thing. If it doesn't work out I will chop. But your photo makes a great point. I have not even considered planting the trunk straight. But I will!

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Boy, these "stick in pot" threads sure show up unexpectedly.

 

[Graft]

Just an update on how it is currently looking. The photo shows the new front. Will be turning the tree to match the front. Thoughts and ideas are always welcome.

 

[luvinthemountains]

Just an update on how it is currently looking. The photo shows the new front. Will be turning the tree to match the front. Thoughts and ideas are always welcome.

I like it! With a tree whose redeeming feature is its bark, it seemed like a shame to hide it on the back. I have one of these that I was going to continue training in the pot that I bought it in, but I am considering ground-growing as a means of developing silver bark. I will be keeping an eye on your thread!

 

[Graft]

I like it! With a tree whose redeeming feature is its bark, it seemed like a shame to hide it on the back. I have one of these that I was going to continue training in the pot that I bought it in, but I am considering ground-growing as a means of developing silver bark. I will be keeping an eye on your thread!

Thanks @luvinthemountains I am pretty pleased with it. Considering what it was like when I bought it. It was one of the first trees I worked on. (Still a noob!)