Poll: Your favorite bonsai style

mike_p

In another fit of idle curiosity, I began to wonder what is the favorite bonsai style of bonsaiTALK members.

Mike

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Bonsai is a way of life.
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There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way
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RedPine

I had to vote other, the choice of oak/broom/informal broom/nature tree/candle is my first pic. Following that the wide spreading banyan and the driftwood themes found in a many wild junipers.

zen

I had to go with bunjin, as one of the most free-form styles, I have to say that the style is the most liberating while also being one of the toughest to pull off ,and really make it different and look good.

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Forest Reef

This is not your average battered & shredded coastal cliff tree...

This is a captured moment - the wind is tossing the branches of a (pick your regular style, informal upright for many a deciduous tree). It has a few different, err - guidelines - avoiding the "r...." word You can hear the storm winds singing....

Best example I can think of that most of you may recall is Andy Rutledge's windswept elm

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Anita

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Mindcrime

I chose "other". I like "unconventional", but aestetically pleasing trees. Some of Walters trees fit my ideal pretty well.

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theelmboy

"other", my favorite style is broom

grampz

Mr. Mike,

A very thought provoking question for me...In reading your list of "styles" for consideration, I can't help but notice you have included several of the well known 'traditional' forms, with a couple additional more recently accepted forms...These are all good choices, and I think it is important to have these as a means of communication among enthusiasts...I am certain that one with your years of experience realizes the shortcomings of this 'classification system' due to many trees combining two or more forms, or ignoring and modifying them altogether...

Where do we place a 'sculptural bonsai'?...Your most outstanding boxwood inspired by 'architectural artistry' comes to mind [I'm away from home, so do not have a photo to share]...Can we really place that tree in a 'traditional' style?...If so then we must also judge and appreciate it by how it fits into that particular style, therefore, denying us the pleasure of fully enjoying the tree for what it is, and what the artist has created...

In recent years I have been more prone to use 'species forms' when discussing trees with others [especially non-bonsai people]...I prefer terms like "Live Oak form", "Mature Flat-top Bald Cypress form", "African Acacia form", "Weeping Willow form", "Banyan form", and "Honey Mesquite form", to name a few...Many species of trees when mature can be recognized from quite a distance only by the branch structure and silhouette...This too falls short as a means of communication, but it is my preferred method...

My vote was for “other”, and I have attempted to "elaborate"...This would certainly be a good subject for discussion, and I would hope it will inspire others to express their thoughts...

Regards
Behr

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one saying rather loudly...
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mike_p

Hi Behr
Thanks for a great response.
"Other" was a necessary catagory, because without it, the poll would have either been unwieldly or incomplete. I find it interesting that "Bunjin" is in first place and "Other" tied for second. I wish that the folks that picked "Bunjin"
would elaborate on the choice. Bunjin is one one of my favorites, and as Kobayashi said,"the most difficult to get right".

Mike

__________________
Bonsai is not a hobby.
Bonsai is a way of life.
MP@BBB Studio

There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way
Gautama Buddha

gregb

As of now, informal upright is running second. That's the way it was last night when I voted, too. I hardly noticed "other". I voted for bunjin because many of the manzanitas I have collected lend themselves well to it. Their growth habit is a natural for this style. The foliage is spare and open; they orient their leaves vertically so the sun won't burn them. And the trunk and branches often have a contorted movement to them. Add to that the beautiful red bark and abundant shari present on the trunk and branches and you've got a mighty handsome tree

Sumo would be my runner-up favorite, just for the record.