bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Tree of the Day: Wednesday March 23, 2005

Okay, this forest was obviously motivated from Goshin's legacy.

First of all, I love it!!! I'm not sure about the number, but one tree looks to be a twin-trunk rather than two trees (in my book a twin-trunk is one), but I could be mistaken. It does raise the issue of how important odd numbers are in forests. I feel that if you start counting trunks to "make sure" the number is odd, the actual number is a non-issue. The forest has exceeded the need for odd numbers to support asymetry. I believe that after about 7 trees, ANY number is okay. Having said that I added two trees which I feel should be added (in the back) to give more depth. I really like the secondary tree on the right/middle that has that extreme deviation in trunk near the apex. I think that should be a major feature in the display. It immediately reminded me of the swamps of coastal NC/SC where, due to storm damage, bald cypress (especially) get the apex broken off and a top branch changes direction to form a new apex. Very powerful stuff.

I have shown where I believe the foliage should be trimmed/pinched back to. This is a very noteworthy bonsai, in my opinion. I like the container and display, as is. Some tidying up of the moss/surface soil would be an improvement, but no real changes.

I am very impressed with this forest. The artist is to be commended.

John

EDIT: I mistakenly sent the first virtual with foliage that can't possibly grow (dead apex). The second virtual is the "correct" one. Sorry.