Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
So with a clump in general...does one wish to widen the canopy or pull the trunks closer together when deciding on a front?
With a Turtleback Trident clump...is it just personal preference
- Thread starter Cadillactaste
- Start date
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
I think closer together obstructs the view, it's visually cluttering. Now that's fun because there's a lot to see! But I feel it draws the attention to just a little above the center of your photograph, like the top half of it, trying to find out what is what and who is who.
I think the first picture works best, in the sense that it draws my eye to the actual center and not above it. From there on, I can follow each trunk. Visually less of an exercise, but more pleasing to me personally.
I think the first picture works best, in the sense that it draws my eye to the actual center and not above it. From there on, I can follow each trunk. Visually less of an exercise, but more pleasing to me personally.
Usually the trees in a clump temp to begin to arch away from each other as they grow taller. So, you might consider propping them out using chopsticks or something. And try to have the trunks not cross each other. And scrape the moss off the base.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
The base is molded. And I'm not sure how much movement the trunks have up top. The two I tested seemed not to forgiving.
This sounds like the best front then.
Agreed...needs the vinegar treatment. Thanks.
BackyardBonsai
Shohin
I see the trunks are too straight to visually look good. I also think they are a bit too thick to bend now so all you can really do is to re-arrange them so they don't cross each other from the front view. I learnt a great deal from @markyscott on how to build trident from scratch. You got to wire the branches while they are still young...
I think you could wedge some wood in between the upper trunks to create some separation.
Before you apply the vinegar, scrape off the excess moss with tweezers.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
You most likely are right. Thanks!
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Agreed...the trunks are straight, and to thick to bend. But surely there are possiblities to take this further. I spoke to Matt Smith and he and I both felt it may need cut back to make it "more".
It just arrived though...as of yesterday late afternoon before I walked out the door for an engagement. I've not had a chance to consider more. I'm open to ideas. I see you tagged a fellow I wouldn't mind getting his opinion. So thanks... A few more would be @William N. Valavanis , @MACH5 , @Brian Van Fleet ...maybe they could offer guidance as to if cut back a good direction to go with it. Though in person...I can't say the straight trunks are grotesque. They seem stately.
Maybe because I love clumps...as well as turtleback.
Warpig
Chumono
I like it! You just get this? Dont think I've seen this one yet.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Arrived yesterday.
Thanks.
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
If it were mine and I was working with either of the 2 views you posted, I'd start by looking at moving two of the trunks in the directions shown by the black arrows (note the arrows don't show how much they should move, just the direction). Right now they are too crowded together in areas, have the crossing trunk in one view, etc. Moving these might be accomplished by using chopstick wedges as Adair mentioned (but this usually results in both trunks moving, unless one is much thicker than the other), or you might have to use rebar and/or guy wires creatively applied. Once you get the trunks moved into a position you like, then you can consider whether some of the trunks should be chopped to introduce more taper and height variations.
Then again, what do I know?
Then again, what do I know?
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
In addition to @coh remarks, I’d consider rotating the front just a touch clockwise to out that skinny trunk into the space between the two behind it, kind of where I marked the pot rim in green. I’d prune it at the red to get rid of the knobby look of those two trunks. Then, I’d use an old toothbrush to scrub away the moss on the trunks. If they’re well-fused, you’ll want to feature that. If not, you’ll want to keep them covered until they are.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Thanks Brian! You offered great direction. Appreciate it as well as all who have shared.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Does it look terrible with the largest trunk in front?
I think that will give you the most depth, and best negate the same height of those 2 that are close in height.
General rules say adjust so you can see all the trunks, and keep spacing unequal.
Sorce
I think that will give you the most depth, and best negate the same height of those 2 that are close in height.
General rules say adjust so you can see all the trunks, and keep spacing unequal.
Sorce
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Okay... another few shots. Ended up turning the wrong way that @Brian Van Fleet suggested. 
Had to drag the tree back out.
Turned clockwise a bit.
@sorce I tried...but, it seems to hide a trunk.
The one I accidentally turned counter clockwise.
Had to drag the tree back out.Turned clockwise a bit.
@sorce I tried...but, it seems to hide a trunk.
The one I accidentally turned counter clockwise.
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Forsoothe!
Imperial Masterpiece
Trunks that are very straight are indicative of growing in a forest and are typically plumb; straight up. Clumps, on the other hand are formed by trees that sucker so the bases are close together and their growth leans outward from the center because there is insufficient space to grow straight up, but there is space, outboard. You pays your money and you takes your choice. One, or the other. Forests with crooked trees look funny because they are a mixed metaphor: all the trees in the forest grow and are influenced by the same conditions and space-constrained environment surounded by other trees. Two trees of the same species and age growing next to each other don't have any reason to look different. If they do, it looks incongruous regardless whether or not the viewer can identify, "what's wrong with this view."
Forest with outer trees leaning out and inner canopies intermingling inside the forest. They grow tall with skinny trunks inside a forest.
Clump with all trees leaning out in all outward directions because the canopies interfere with one-another and space is available outward.
Forest with outer trees leaning out and inner canopies intermingling inside the forest. They grow tall with skinny trunks inside a forest.
Clump with all trees leaning out in all outward directions because the canopies interfere with one-another and space is available outward.
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namnhi
Masterpiece
The first one in this post looks nicer than the rest in my opinion.Okay... another few shots. Ended up turning the wrong way that @Brian Van Fleet suggested.
Turned clockwise a bit. View attachment 273362
@sorce I tried...but, it seems to hide a trunk.
View attachment 273363
The one I accidentally turned counter clockwise. View attachment 273365
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Thanks,for your opinion..my original one too!
It's hard when it grows on you from all angles. It's like. Sure there is a better front. But you walk around it and it makes me happy.
