Walter Pall...Japanese maple #1 potted in new position today

[davetree]

Just sayin. I thought everyone knew that. Not trying to start something.

 

[agraham]

I'm not a fan, but, if she paid in to it, it was due her. Just sayin'

Andy

 

[ABCarve]

Then she died. The state paid her medical expenses, which is a bit ironic considering her "philosophy".

Thank s Dave .... I'm gonna send this to one of my "objectivist" pals. I love it!!!!

 

[drew33998]

Really? Based on what?

I would say based on its representation of a real maple/deciduous tree. It is not a cookie cutter Japanese pine styled maple bonsai, but reflects how some maple species grow in the wild. This of course is my opinion, not to be forced on others. I do like the Japanese styled maples as well but don't feel like they represent a natural growing deciduous tree.

 

[davetree]

I'm not a fan, but, if she paid in to it, it was due her. Just sayin'

Andy

She kept her welfare money secret from her devotees, who believed her when she said there should be no government help for the poor and indigent. There are politicians today who refer to her as an influence.

 

[davetree]

To the original poster, I agree with Al. The tree looks great in leaf. Not so great without leaves. Trunks too straight without movement or taper, the left hand trunk that terminates abruptly. Still a nice tree but not the worlds best.

 

[Vance Wood]

To the original poster, I agree with Al. The tree looks great in leaf. Not so great without leaves. Trunks too straight without movement or taper, the left hand trunk that terminates abruptly. Still a nice tree but not the worlds best.

There is little profit in pointing out that not all trees have trunks with a lot of movement. When it comers to deciduous trees we have to be careful not to judge them by conifer traits. As to taper; if you are referring to taper as one would expect in a pine you are correct. If you are referring to taper as comparing the base of the tree to the apex I think you are not looking too carefully. However; when it comes to Walter's goal/style as a naturalistic style this tree fits that definition nicely. As I mention in my original post on AOB about this tree it reminds me of some of the ancient Beech trees we see growing along Michigan Ave off the lake here in Michigan. Just because it is a Maple it does not necessarily have to look like a traditional Maple. There are few departures from the traditional styling of Japanese Maples that look natural-----except this one.

 

[GrimLore]

I think the picture sequence and the lesson was well documented. Also I noticed Walter was not satisfied with the tree and its' position... Honest I still have not looked at the tree.
I also was pleased to see the use of the saw - I showed it to my Wife to buffer what I said last Spring as I hammered a Plum tree root system down to size for a training pot she wanted to see it in with a cross cut hand saw. She is now more comphy with me doing that in the future.
Bottom line is I don't think it was a tree-showing, I think it was a brief tutorial.

 

[Eric Group]

There is little profit in pointing out that not all trees have trunks with a lot of movement. When it comers to deciduous trees we have to be careful not to judge them by conifer traits. As to taper; if you are referring to taper as one would expect in a pine you are correct. If you are referring to taper as comparing the base of the tree to the apex I think you are not looking too carefully. However; when it comes to Walter's goal/style as a naturalistic style this tree fits that definition nicely. As I mention in my original post on AOB about this tree it reminds me of some of the ancient Beech trees we see growing along Michigan Ave off the lake here in Michigan. Just because it is a Maple it does not necessarily have to look like a traditional Maple. There are few departures from the traditional styling of Japanese Maples that look natural-----except this one.

I agree with you Vance, this is one of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen! It may not go along with the styling "rules" that many people feel the need to follow in Bonsai but it just looks like a tree damnit! In the end, isn't that what you are going for? A miniature representation of a large, mature looking tree? Walter Paul's style has always been more of a naturalistic "there are no rules, let the tree guide you" kind of approach and this tree is the most amazing example I have ever seen of his work. Perhaps this doesn't fit the style guidelines from Japan, and maybe there are better Maples out there but if there are I sure haven't seen many. In the end it looks like an ancient old Maple or Oak tree would really look in nature and that was what he was going for... In SC we have some of the largest, most incredible old Oaks you will find anywhere in the world, and from observing them, you will commonly see a structure almost exactly like this- huge, thick base with roots covering the soil around them, long thick trunks/ branches going all the way to the top and ending abruptly where they were snapped off by a wind storm or just started fanning out... This tree gets it right IMO. I know where a lot of people are coming from in arguing this point and saying it doesn't look as good with the leaves off, but it still looks like a real tree to me, and that in the end is what makes it so beautiful. Thanks Dangelo for sharing this montage... I have been thinking of working on a Maple I own that is not growing fast enough and badly in need of a repot... This may have inspired me to go ahead and get it done!

 

[0soyoung]

It is a stunning tree.

My favorite JM.

 

[bwaynef]

I find it odd that folks who champion the "Naturalistic" Bonsai styling herald this tree as being one of few archetypes of the form. This tree seems to be a mix between maple and oak (which isn't necessarily a mark against it), but neither species carry long untapered branches as far up into the crown as this tree does. I haven't seen any images of Beech trees that do either, though I'll admit that I'm not as familiar with old-growth Beech trees.

I like this tree, particularly in leaf, though the tallest "subtrunk" has always bothered me as it peaks out from behind the foliage in some shots from the past. (I haven't checked on updates of the tree in a while.) I'm not familiar with any other multi-trunk maple bonsai, though I'm sure there are examples.

 

[Smoke]

I know where a lot of people are coming from in arguing this point and saying it doesn't look as good with the leaves off, but it still looks like a real tree to me, and that in the end is what makes it so beautiful.

No one is arguing here, just discussing differing points of view. A point I felt was necessary in the view of a maple. Since maples are and should be viewed in winter, it seems appropriate to discuss the merits of that view also.

There is no doubt that this tree carries merit in both seasons but falls certainly short of being the best maple bonsai in the world.

 

[Paulpash]

Maybe .. best naturalistic palmatum in the world ...

 

[Vance Wood]

Just to be politically correct let me say this tree is a piece of excrement------the most outstandingly beautiful piece of excrement I have ever seen and if I could make excrement like this I would buy stock in XLAX and spend the rest of my life in the John passing Maple Bonsai like this one. Everyone happy now?

 

[Paulpash]

Can anyone not fail to be happy contemplating your bowels Vance?

 

[ABCarve]

I'm with Smoke.....we're just talkin' here. And I'll bet Walter is glad we are.

 

[coh]

No one is arguing here, just discussing differing points of view. A point I felt was necessary in the view of a maple. Since maples are and should be viewed in winter, it seems appropriate to discuss the merits of that view also.

There is no doubt that this tree carries merit in both seasons but falls certainly short of being the best maple bonsai in the world.

I understand that this is the way it is done in Japan, but why can't we also have maples (or other deciduous trees) that are developed for primary viewing in summer? No one has an issue with the wisteria that is viewed for a couple of weeks in spring and then relegated to the back of the bench for the rest of the year.

Chris