Just a silly question.

RonMartin(deceased)

A goodly number of formal uprights are the product of a "trunk chop" This is a term that is used often on this forum. Why not do it that way.
But then most of the talking that I hear is about using that chop to get rid of a straight part on a trunk.
Most of the formal uprights I have done are the result of an air-layer. (usually the apex of a tree)
Yes it will still take time (and a bit of luck) to do a good one. But then that is true of all the other styles as well.
Maybe it is just a style that has lost its favored spot in the bonsai heart.
Most of mine have been sold over the years. A few went when hurricane Hugo came through here a few years ago. Today there are none in my collection but that is something that I might just try to remedy

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bonsaikc

Delboy, nice tree. The only thing I would do to change it is to cover up that kink in the trunk at the very top.

Al, great pictures, although the second one by definition can't be a formal upright. Too much movement in the trunk..hehe

Chris

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Chris Johnston
Sashi-no-eda.blogspot.com

Kansas City Area Workshops 2008

Attila

Hi Chris,
I have seen quite a number of trees classified as formal upright where the trunk is not straight like an arrow. In fact, Charle Ceronio, in his book "Bonsai Styles of the World, and also Walter P. in one of his critiques on this forum said that the trunk can have very small movements.

I think the impression of a straight trunk is what really matters. I actually prefer those little movements, they make the tree look more natural. But that's a matter of preference.

Regards,
Attila

RonMartin(deceased)

While I have the attention of a few of you I thought I would pose another question. So all right I ran out of things to do, got bored, and thought I would come and bother the members of Bonsaitalk some more. ;o)
Here is a pretty common thing that one sees. Jin and shari on a juniper. For the most part it looks pretty good but IMHO it is a bit over done. Especially the apex. Just about every juniper and a lot of the pines have that spike sticking out of the top.
While I do like the looks of it I sometimes wished that there were more of them without that spike. If for no other reason than a bit of variety.
Is that top piece of shari really necessary. Does it have greater artistic effect than a apex with foliage on it. Could it be that it is just the easy way out. Is it easier to spike the top than learn how to make a proper apex.
Opinions

bonsaikc

To use another thread, "What would John say?"

"If juniper doesn't have jin, dog doesn't have fleas."

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Chris Johnston
Sashi-no-eda.blogspot.com

Kansas City Area Workshops 2008

RonMartin(deceased)

Actually I do agree with your quote. Jins and shari do look good for the most part on a juniper.
Not only do they give the tree apparent age (when properly done) but they are a heck of an easy way to hide those scars on a juniper. Those scars do take forever to close up don't they.
I was just wondering why so many people have that spike coming out of the top of their junipers. Most of the time it does look good but I think sometimes too often repeated.
I am a bit lucky I guess. I do get to attend a lot of demonstrations by the more well known artists. Both on the road and right here in my shop. When presented with a juniper to style they will just about always have that spike. Come to think of it I don't remember one done with out it in at least 10 years or so.
Is it the best thing artistically or is it just the easiest way to handle a scar when toping out the juniper.
Either way spike or green apex. I like them both ways, just think that the spike is a bit over done

bonsaial1

For the most part junipers are not trees, their shrubs. Most of them grow very prostrate, or grow very columnar. Those that grow protrate tend to have apexes that spider in about 5 different diections. The trunks while staying close to the ground will get thick, but will be thick for someway out from the base. If one were to style a tree say 20" tall the trunk may be as large at 20" away from the base as at the base. Sometimes there just isn't enough foliage at that point to make the proper apex, so the stub is left a couple inches long and skinned back for a jinned apex.When done correctly it can look fairly good, but I agree it is overdone.

The columnar type junipers, foemina and hollywood, classic junipers for Formal subjects are sometimes sought after for thier large trunks. When the trunks get to the proper size, the trunk is also large at the appropriate place where the apex is going to be. The only answer sometimes is to cut through half way and break the trunk from front to back. Create a lightning struck apex and carve some taper in the trunk. Too bad these junipers didn't heal like Bald cypress, I am sure there would be more green top formal upright junipers out there if they did.

Regards, Al

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