That's just the point though! What is a ''nice'' canopy. I find that when you wire constantly, it's easy to remove the soul from the tree. I read a quote here the other day which I really liked. Paraphrased...''.the tree knows how to build branches, you don't.'' With wiring we are constantly imposing our shallow and superficial ideas on how it should be. I use wire a lot because I'm still stuck in that world. So I guess the only way forward is to experiment.I think if you pay enough attention at the right times....
You can build a nicer canopy with bud removal than wiring and pruning.
Sorce
Nice tree. Very nice, indeed.I'm going to try to stop using wire on this tree. It will be hard to resist but I want to see what happens.
the tree knows how to build branches, you don't.''
That's just the point though! What is a ''nice'' canopy. I find that when you wire constantly, it's easy to remove the soul from the tree. I read a quote here the other day which I really liked. Paraphrased...''.the tree knows how to build branches, you don't.'' With wiring we are constantly imposing our shallow and superficial ideas on how it should be. I use wire a lot because I'm still stuck in that world. So I guess the only way forward is to experiment.
What?I use wire a lot because I'm still stuck in that world
I'm going to try to stop using wire on this tree. It will be hard to resist but I want to see what happens.
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He's the all natural guy. Thinks bonsai shouldn't show the hand of man.I don't understand your thinking Mike?
I'm going to try to stop using wire on this tree. It will be hard to resist but I want to see what happens.
I don't understand why you would jeopardize such a fine tree. just to see what it will do? I have an inkling You are not comfortable with your wiring skills so you are looking at excuses why you don't do with this tree what you know you need to do. As far as losing the soul of the tree? If your skills are linked to your heart that is not going to happen, if the tree had the ubiquitous soul you talk about you will enhance it not lose it. When people lose something in a tree by working on it is when they try to empose something else on the tree other than something that flows with it. It is like puttinga smily face on the Mona Lisa.
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You are correct, the entire tree is contrived. Procumbens Juniper do not usually have heavy/thick trunks because they are ground hugging trees and as such they do not need a big trunk to support the tree. It is the hand of man that makes them upright growing bonsai so the natural growing no human touch idea is an excuse for not making the tree as good as it could be. The question becomes why do bonsai at all, ask for help no one will think less of you.He's the all natural guy. Thinks bonsai shouldn't show the hand of man.
Wait until he realizes they're made by man. That will really strew him up.
Nature doesn't always do things the way we like.the natural growing no human touch idea is an excuse for not making the tree as good as it could be.
I don't understand your thinking Mike?
What?
The world of bonsai?
.