Ramification

[Bonsai Nut]

I had to post this photo from the 34th Sakufu Exhibition (2008) in Japan. This ramification is amazing. From a skill perspective I have never seen better. But I wonder if it is overdone? It is clearly designed to be shown bare leaf only - while in leaf it would look like a topiary. Yet even the bare leaf ramification hides the design of the tree. What do you think? Too much or just enough?

 

[Rick Moquin]

Too much!

I admire the ramification as well but here is a classic example IMO of too much as it is hard to see main branch lines.

 

[Dav4]

This reminds me of a barbery bush in my foundation plantings...man, I hate that bush! So yes, too much ramification for a tree's image if that's what your attempting to create.

Dave

 

[milehigh_7]

BNut,

I think it is just as you say. Amazing skill yet a bit over the top. It would rather look like a chia pet in leaf I am afraid.

However, one must stand in amazement at this for the sake of the work that was done. A classic example of, "just because you CAN do something does not mean you SHOULD."

 

[BUBBAFRGA]

Its amazing but to much.

 

[TheSteve]

I'd have to think it was just for bragging rights. Needs thinned by 2/3 I'm thinking.

 

[TreeKiller64]

Where's the tree? ...... WHERE'S THE TREE?.....

 

[Vance Wood]

I agree that it is too much but, what an accomplishment to get a tree this finely ramified without a ton of die back. Can you imagine the amount of time it took to pinch this tree often enough to produce this effect? Maybe that's the point; just to prove it can be done.

 

[Martin Sweeney]

All,

Some of the ramification appears to be shadow. If so, the over-ramification commented on might be non existent, or not as bad as it is being perceived to be. I would need to see the tree in person before I dared condemn it.

As stated previously, if this is a zelkova (I think it is), then the ramification is quite simply an extraordinary technical accomplishment.

Perhaps thinning, rather than less ramification is the answer?

Regards.
Martin

 

[ghues]

Too Much

The only time I’ve seen this in nature is a witches broom that we find from time to time in the PNW forests…. “where the natural structure of the plant is changed. A dense mass of shoots grows from a single point, with the resulting structure resembling a broom or a bird's nest.
The bird cannot fly through this tree?! Too much?!

 

[Attila Soos]

I would definitely call this a "hedgehog style".

 

[kytombonsai]

The ramification is amazing but is too much. I would bet that where all the branches emerge from the trunk is not a pretty sight.

Tom

 

[Chris Johnston]

The ramification is amazing but is too much. I would bet that where all the branches emerge from the trunk is not a pretty sight.

Tom

Really? I tend to disagree. While I think this tree may be over-ramified, what artist in his right mind would work so hard to ramify a tree with a major flaw that makes it look unnatural? If it looks manufactured, I guarantee it's worth zero.

Chris

 

[kytombonsai]

Chris,

Your right, it would not be in the 34th Sakafu if the branching was not perfect. I cannot critique it based on this photo because I cannot see the branch structure. Either way the tree would look good in my collection but would be opened up quite a bit.

Tom

 

[greerhw]

It looks like an Afro in the 70's.

Harry

 

[TimD]

First thing I thought of when I looked at it was "Good Times"

 

[Graydon]

I had to post this photo from the 34th Sakufu Exhibition (2008) in Japan. This ramification is amazing. From a skill perspective I have never seen better. But I wonder if it is overdone? It is clearly designed to be shown bare leaf only - while in leaf it would look like a topiary. Yet even the bare leaf ramification hides the design of the tree. What do you think? Too much or just enough?

Someone else pointed this out - I believe the camera mounted flash created a double effect. Who took this photo? If someone is going to go to Japan and see the exhibit at least they could invest in a couple of radio controlled flash units and learn how to properly shoot with a strobe. All those buttons are a bit confusing but... such bad shadows are inexcusable. A faster lens on a monopod would have been a better option to capture this tree without the strobe shadow and pop.

With that said it's a piece of work. I bet that if it's seen on axis under real exhibit lighting its would literally suck the breath from your lungs. Stunning.

 

[Glider]

Can you imagine being given the task of thinning this out? Where would you even begin?

 

[Chris Johnston]

Can you imagine being given the task of thinning this out? Where would you even begin?

By salivating.

 

[Mike Page]

I think this is something you do just to prove you can do it.
Now, follow the admonition of Naka-san and make your bonsai look like a tree.

Mike