Ponderosa

[Victrinia Ensor]

Picked up a nice ponderosa at a bonsai auction this month. Paid $350 for it... so it was a great deal.

I decided to change it around though... so the first photo is how I bought it... the second is the new front, with the crown adjusted more to my liking. To pull it off I had to break a branch, but that's not a big deal on ponderosa... they tend not to mind. I've torn these things in half with Daniel and they don't care. And I'll change the potting angle when next it's repotted. It's about 20inches tall.

Anyway... I lightened up the deadwood, it needs to be bleached a bit... and that was done in photoshop.


Kindest regards,

Victrinia

 

[RyanFrye]

Very nice and what a deal! Good luck with this one and keep us updated.

 

[mcpesq817]

Very nice tree - I love ponderosas, and yours is really cool looking. I prefer what you did with the top versus the original, but I think I like the original front better. Did you have to change the angle because the top of the trunk went pretty far straight back?

On the ponderosa deadwood, I thought there was an earlier post here which suggested that bleaching/lime sulfuring ponderosa deadwood doesn't look natural? I could be wrong, but maybe someone else can chime in.

Really great tree!

 

[flor1]

Great Tree

 

[irene_b]

Ahhhh that is a sweet one....
I am also looking forward to seeing this in the future.
Mom

 

[snobird]

Wow, nice tree. I like the first front more. Looks more powerful even with the slight reverse taper at the bottom.

 

[Victrinia Ensor]

Wow, nice tree. I like the first front more. Looks more powerful even with the slight reverse taper at the bottom.

Excellent point... I chose dynamic movement over power... which is not something to go after lightly. The tree has it's magnificent age more prominently in view via the deadwood, and deals with what would otherwise be a somewhat rediculous branch bend, albeit obfuscated, that would have been jutting out the back. Instead I wanted to justify that bend by bringing it into play. Whether or not one "likes" how that branch is folding around, it still ends up contributing to the image rather than just trying to forget that it is there. Because when you go around, it would be like... "whoa! where did that come from?"



Irene... (hugs for Mom) Flor... Ryan...

I'm glad you liked it!



mcpesq817...


I won't bleach it bone white... I'm not fond of that on almost anything really... and your right it doesn't look good. What I'm aiming for is silver gray, which is appropriate for the species. But leaving it as it is, would waste one of it's key features... it's highly coveted delaminating deadwood.

Kindest regards to all,

Victrinia

 

[treebeard55]

I too prefer the second front. You did a terrific job!

Thanks too for posting an explanation of your thought process. Not that you owe us any explanation! -- but it helps us see the tree thru your eyes a little better. And for new people, it's valuable education.

 

[october]

Yes, the front you chose should be the front. It has better nebari, taper, movement and flow... The original front had many problems that were distracting to the eye. This tree is very nice. Especially that long swooping side branch. This is is and will be a really nice specimen when finished..

Rob

 

[bonsai barry]

That tree would enhance any collection!

 

[grouper52]

I left the auction early and wondered who got this tree! It was one of the best. Great tree and great price, Vic. A real beauty.

Will

 

[JasonG]

Hey there Vic!

It was good meeting you and Eric at the auction, although it was a brief hello. I got roped into helping out a bit...

Anyways, my friend Lee was thinning out the herd and brought this and another tree to the auction. I am curious to the change in front....while the deadwood is nice the 2 straight sections in the upper trunk are very bothersome....and IMO take away from everything else. Do you plan to do anything with these areas?

Thanks, and nice tree!

Jason

 

[anttal63]

Yes, the front you chose should be the front. It has better nebari, taper, movement and flow... The original front had many problems that were distracting to the eye. This tree is very nice. Especially that long swooping side branch. This is is and will be a really nice specimen when finished..

Rob

spot on rob i feel the same way. vic that is a great redo of a nice piece of material.

 

[waltr1]

That's a nice one Vic.
I have a Poderosa with a good bit of old nature deadwood. I did clean and apply full strength lime sulfur last year. It did not turn bright white but stayed grey, brighter but still grey. You may want to try a small hidden piece to see how bright the wood gets. If too bright then add a few drops of India ink to the lime sulfur.
The new front is an improvement but without seeing the tree in person don't know if its the best front. The straight sections doesn't bother me as the they are short and have interesting curved ends. A bit of the crown could be brought down to break to visual straight section if you feel its too distracting.
Great tree and all the best.
walt r

 

[rockm]

Jason has a point, but it's "six of one half dozen of another with this beautiful tree," I think. The straight sections are less distracting than the inverse taper that shows on the other front.

 

[pauldogx]

Cool tree!!!

 

[mcpesq817]

I am curious to the change in front....while the deadwood is nice the 2 straight sections in the upper trunk are very bothersome....and IMO take away from everything else. Do you plan to do anything with these areas?

I think that's what bothered me with the change in front. The inverse taper didn't really bother me that much.

But like Rockm said, six of one, half dozen of another. Great tree with either front.

 

[snobird]

Thanks for the explanation Victrinia. I can see that you have chosen a focal point on the tree that draws the eye in. Also you brought the foliage into the first third. As this tree develops I think it can still be displayed with both sides.

 

[jersanct]

I think the second front provides a much better view of the spider...

 

[treebeard55]

I think the second front provides a much better view of the spider...

After reading your post I had to spend a few minutes finding the critter!

I take it, Victrinia, that you're not afraid of arachnids?