I like it Jason! There is just something more pleasing to my eye about developing the natural character of a tree than forcing it into an unnatural mold. Please continue to post running updates on this work. This type of post is educational and interesting. Thanks!
Thanks MileHigh! Most people don't know what to think or think its junk because it doesn't adhere to the norm. For me that is the biggest attraction. I will keep this updated as the seasons go along... one trees leaf I will update them.
Great buttress on that tree. Have you picked a front yet? I really like the shari and trunk movement in your second pic, but I'm not sure you will be able to re-pot in this orientation. Good luck,
Dave
Hi Dave, yes the front is in there..... For the front I want to capture the deadwood from top to bottom and at the very top it has a twist making the front as seen in the first picture of the second post. The 3rd pic could also be the front.... just different by a few degrees.
Nice overall Jason. The only critisism I have is the movement is quite different between the left and right branches. Would it be better to have them more equall, whether that be more movement in the lower right branch, or less in the left branches? I also think that the lower branch could be let go for a bit to gain girth for balance purposes, but it's not far off. Thanks for the look see.
Thanks Bill..... I know what you are saying about the difference in movement. The right branch can have some movement added but not much. It is pretty stiff and fairly brittle. It would be easier to work with the left one to make it less drastic. Good eye and thanks for pointing that out to me.
Good progression. As I said a few weeks ago at the mid-point stage (third photo), I would like to see the lower back branch brought up and around to form the new apex and whack off that big spike (working in to the current deadwood of course) - shorten and reposition the branches into more of an upright manner. It will reduce the overall height of the tree and will improve the overall look and feel of an ancient monster hanging on by a thread - to me the base will look old but the spike will always seem like a new disaster and the two seem to clash...
Good points Rich, but it will be a while before I am to reduce the tree that much...... I want to work with it and prove you wrong, hahahaha. That spike is what I find most attractive about this tree, the base is fat and old, sure, but that is fairly common as compared to the "spike"..... Give me a few years, maybe it will become a shohin......