Rules or Not? (Example 2)

Will_Heath

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Will_Heath

Brent's listing of rules...

HB Smith

This is a wonderful example of a flowering apricot bonsai. In twin trunk style, the two trunks harmonize well together, they are of different sizes to keep interest, they are either seperate trunks or split very low at the soil surface, they have good taper and movement with exquisite, old bark - the real value of this type of bonsai. The contrast between the aged bark and deadwood of the trunk (old age) and the fresh new flowers of the season (youth) are the essence of the beauty of the flowering apricot. The branches are delicate, and styled in the deciduous tree style (more undulating, more delicate, reaching upward). The pot is a good choice, the color contrasts the color of the flower well.

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Sincerely,
Howard

www.BonsaiSmiths.net

rockm

Howard, I agree. The question, I guess, would be WHY this tree is a "classic" example of flowering apricot. WHY is the pot a good choice?

It's because, I think, the tree follows SOME rules, and breaks others--knowledgeably. A few examples, the trunks offer diversity in shape, but retain similar movement-harmony--The pot gives some supporting and contrasting imagery--blue contrasts the white blossoms, while the embossed pattern foresahdows blooms and reinforces them. The square gives a more stable foundation that an oval would...

bwaynef

As to the rules that are broken: (the first that stick out to me)

Reverse taper, and branching (crossed and inside-the-curve branching.)

The question to ask is do these infractions produce better bonsai than the same tree without "flaws".

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© 2004 - present bwaynef

Joanie

Does reverse taper really apply in such a gnarled, twisted trunk? You cannot expect the flow of the trunk in this case to be as smooth and tapering as, for example, a maple.

The inside branch does draw attention, but in person with some depth it may not as much.

Joanie

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agraham

Joanie,

If it's a rule it counts .

More rules broken

#1....lowest branch is on the taller tree
#2....trunks very similiar in caliper..the shorter one may actually be a bit thicker
#3....bar branches

This is a beautiful bonsai,but if dissected by making the rules TOO important in the appreciation.....it starts to lose its appeal.

andy

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bwaynef

I can explain away the reverse taper as being a result of the swelling caused by the deadwood also. Even so, does the reverse taper add anything?

As this is an off-shoot of the discussion that turned into "do rules create good bonsai", these images were posted as less than traditional examples. Does the BREAKING of the rules add anything? Are these infractions artistically sound?

Another question (maybe the same one rephrased) is what is being incorporated while these infractions are being traded off. What choice was made and why?

Discussion: ensue,
WF

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© 2004 - present bwaynef

Joanie

Certainly without the reverse taper the tree wouldn't be as compelling. And I would argue that the reverse taper rule is one of those that is not applicable to this type of tree, just as it would not be applicable to a deadwood style juniper.

The inner branch crossing over the second trunk is less easy to explain.

Joanie

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