Trunk: Taper or Movement?

[bonsai barry]

Taper or Moment: Which would you choose? Both, of course. But if you can't have it both ways, then which would you choose?

This is a privet (I think) that I'm repotting. Soon I will have to choose a front and style it. I can style it exploiting its taper (the base of the trunk is nearly five inches) or turn to emphasize the movement of the trunk. Which do you like better?

 

[bonsaibp]

I'd show off the movement. It still has taper. And that big crossing root in the 2nd picture is not very attractive.

 

[JudyB]

What ^ BP said, exactly, in that order... Words right out of my mouth.

 

[Paulpash]

1st pic is far more aesthetically pleasing.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I think movement is most noticing...verses tapper.

 

[bonsai barry]

I appreciate your comments for two years I've looked at that tree and figured I'd work with the taper perspective. You're right about that root but it is so big that it has grafted into the trunk so I was planning a little creative carving to create the illusion that it is part of the trunk as you so nicely demonstrate in your blog, Bob. (http://bonsaibpsbonsaiblog-bonsai.b...d-max=2014-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=3).

I'll just look at it another season I think. Thank you for sharing your insights.

 

[edprocoat]

Man, the first picture looks like a finished Bonsai already, that's the side and angle I would choose ! Great looking tree. It has a 5 inch base, did you collect it? Taper wins.

ed

 

[nathanbs]

Man, the first picture looks like a finished Bonsai already, that's the side and angle I would choose ! Great looking tree. It has a 5 inch base, did you collect it? Taper wins.

ed

Ed the first picture is the movement contender but as several said above it also has nice taper.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Ed the first picture is the movement contender but as several said above it also has nice taper.

Yep...that first photo is amazing!

 

[edprocoat]

Ed the first picture is the movement contender but as several said above it also has nice taper.

Thought that was what I posted, but thanks anyway. maybe I should have said, I choose the first picture, this tree has taper from both sides.

ed

 

[bonsai barry]

Man, the first picture looks like a finished Bonsai already, that's the side and angle I would choose ! Great looking tree. It has a 5 inch base, did you collect it? Taper wins.

ed

No, Ed, I didn't collect it. It was one of those lucky finds in the Nursery sale area/ Discard area.

 

[edprocoat]

No, Ed, I didn't collect it. It was one of those lucky finds in the Nursery sale area/ Discard area.

That's a great find, and I bet it saved you a fortune too. What kind of pot you thinking about, or have you gave that any consideration yet?

ed

 

[bonsai barry]

That's a great find, and I bet it saved you a fortune too. What kind of pot you thinking about, or have you gave that any consideration yet?

ed

No thought on pots. It's not as far along as you might think from looking at these photos.

 

[nathanbs]

Thought that was what I posted, but thanks anyway. maybe I should have said, I choose the first picture, this tree has taper from both sides.

ed

I was only saying that because you said taper wins! I was merely saying that the OP intended that to be the movement option

 

[edprocoat]

I was only saying that because you said taper wins! I was merely saying that the OP intended that to be the movement option

Sigh, uh ok . Truly I think this tree has taper either way, so in my opinion taper wins either way.

ed

 

[edprocoat]

Anyhow Barry, the reason I asked if it was collected is all the privet I see in stores or even as pre-bonsai have trunks as thick as your roots. That was truly a great find. I know you said it does not look as far along as it seems in the pictures, but that first picture looks pretty damned good to me. Keep er green !

ed

 

[A Random User]

I would also add that in the second pic the trunk is going away
from the viewer, which granted on some trees you don't have a choice,
but to pick a view such as this and then work the apex back towards
the viewer.
But in your case you clearly do.

 

[jkd2572]

I would remove 50% of the foliage to make the trunk look even bigger.