African plains style

zen

I was just wondering if anyone has ever tried, or has any trees in this style? I will eventually have a tree in this style, I think it is very beautiful in shape line and form. I have created a virt of what it might look like,...it's esentially a tall broom/flat-top style, the figure is a man playing a drum, although I'm sure i'll use some kinda animal instead,.....hindsight is, well you know. LOL. If you guys have anything in this style or headed this way post some pics if you have 'em.

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zen

P.S. BTW this is a photo of an ACTUAL tree,...not a trained bonsai,...I didn't do anything to the tree as far as styling.

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"Although profoundly "inconsequential," the Zen experience has consequences in the sense that it may be applied in any direction, to any conceivable human activity, and that wherever it is so applied it lends an unmistakable quality to the work."

~ Alan Watts (1915-1973)

http://www.bonsaiswap.com/

ChrisM

i don't have anything in that style, but it would definatley be worth trying with the right material.

chris

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RedPine

They actually use this flat top style in Africa for bonsai.They have come up with a few original styles much in the same way we have brought forth the live oak styles.

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JohnQuinn

No need to go all the way to Africa! ;-)
Mature bald cypress do tend to assume a 'flat top' appearance, and this style of bald or pond cypress bonsai is frequently associated with Vaughn Banting, one of the founders of the Greater New Orleans Bonsai Society. In fact, he authored an AV presentation on flat top cypress which is available on the BCI site.
Here's a pic of a big pond cypress that I have had for a few years...

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RedPine

Hi John,


I like that cypress,the multi trunk thing going on-cool.

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midwestbonsai

John,
I think that is the first muti-trunk BC I have ever seen.
I like it vey much. Thanks for sharing it with us.
-Paul

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JohnQuinn

Thanks, guys. It is actually a Pond Cypress which I received (as a present from my wife) from Guy Guidry several years ago.

Of course, we know that you can't believe everything you read!

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PatArizona

Look at some of the classic photos from Monterey/Carmel...or watch some of the Pebble Beach PGA Tournament coming up, I believe in February...you will see some classic native California flat-tops.

Pat

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