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Hi all.... back from a week in the Adirondacks... cooool and beautiful. Just started to catch up on the forum and noted this post. Al.... you are correct, I am here to share and learn. For someone to tell me "your tree is nice but needs a few years to develop" is fine if they mean it. But if they really mean "That thing will never be anything, trunk chop it and pray" well that is different. Yes, we should be as gentle as possible when we really take a part a tree.... but if the person is asking......

As my knowledge and training progress, I find that many a tree I purchased or collected a year or two ago are no longer to my likeing. So much so, that I think I would not get it today. That is wonderful!! I have learned from my choices (mistakes).

When I first started I looked for the cheapest of materials, and of course got the cheapest of materials. My thought was even if there isn't much here I can learn. It did help me learn (and still does) how to keep'em alive and how to prune and train them.
Yes, some where put into Bonsai pots.... I will probably remove them in the spring and place in the ground or into grow boxes.

As my education and experience increased I started collecting material that in my opinion will have the ability, if properly handled, to become something someday (hopefully sooner than later). I look more at the Nebari, trunk movement, taper and size.
I am progressing.

Now if someone sees something they would like to improve in one of my trees, they tell me. If I am so sure of the direction I am going, I will defend my thoughts... If I feel the critque is valid I will look to alter my course.....

Al.... I am one of those who do Bonsai for myself. Butttt.... with the help and direction and yes, criticism of others, I do a better job of doing it for myself. What some need to know is that those trees that they see that are near perfect to their eyes have followed rules (some tighter than others)... and that by learning from those who have gone down the road already is ' a good thing'.

5-Aug-2002	#4
Jay YOU CAN NOT RUSH TIME Join Date: Sep-2001 Location: Jeffersonville Vt Country: USA USDA Zone: 4 AHS Heat Zone: 3 Posts: 2,154	Hi all.... back from a week in the Adirondacks... cooool and beautiful. Just started to catch up on the forum and noted this post. Al.... you are correct, I am here to share and learn. For someone to tell me "your tree is nice but needs a few years to develop" is fine if they mean it. But if they really mean "That thing will never be anything, trunk chop it and pray" well that is different. Yes, we should be as gentle as possible when we really take a part a tree.... but if the person is asking...... As my knowledge and training progress, I find that many a tree I purchased or collected a year or two ago are no longer to my likeing. So much so, that I think I would not get it today. That is wonderful!! I have learned from my choices (mistakes). When I first started I looked for the cheapest of materials, and of course got the cheapest of materials. My thought was even if there isn't much here I can learn. It did help me learn (and still does) how to keep'em alive and how to prune and train them. Yes, some where put into Bonsai pots.... I will probably remove them in the spring and place in the ground or into grow boxes. As my education and experience increased I started collecting material that in my opinion will have the ability, if properly handled, to become something someday (hopefully sooner than later). I look more at the Nebari, trunk movement, taper and size. I am progressing. Now if someone sees something they would like to improve in one of my trees, they tell me. If I am so sure of the direction I am going, I will defend my thoughts... If I feel the critque is valid I will look to alter my course..... Al.... I am one of those who do Bonsai for myself. Butttt.... with the help and direction and yes, criticism of others, I do a better job of doing it for myself. What some need to know is that those trees that they see that are near perfect to their eyes have followed rules (some tighter than others)... and that by learning from those who have gone down the road already is ' a good thing'. __________________ A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49... Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing