Why Do We Use An Odd Number Of Trees In A Forest?

Dale Cochoy

ron,
I'm going to have to agree with your statements here. All well read articles aside.
Just basically...what SHOULD be important is what comes out looking good regarding the trees/ pot combo/layout in a forest or large grouping..

With 27 years of going to "shows" behind me I can stand and watch your average spectator person walking through a show, or even the National collection, and the FIRST thing they do when coming onto a forest is count the trees in a group or forest planting, in the hopes of saying "Hey, there's an even number of trees in there. You aren't supposed to do that" Watch them some time at a local show! It's a real "newbie catcher" for me. Kind of like the guy that comes up to you at your club show and corrects your pronunciation of bonsai, "Sir, you know it should be pronounced "Baaanzi"
I remember when studying with my teacher when we would work on someones group/forest plantings , mine, his or someone elses. This often came up. I used to always chuckle to myself when, sure enough, if the planting was even numbers in a forest someone would say "hey, aren't you supposed to have even numbers in forests". Keith would ALWAYS comment , "Well, one died!" or the reverse, "Oh, That's in case one dies".

Ron, looking forward to seeing your 8-tree group.......and all the comments from folks telling you you have an even number of trees!
Dale

__________________
________________________________
If you want to be Different....
You have to DO something Different!
__________________________________________

Some people NEVER take the time to do a job right the first time....
but, they always seem to make the time to do it over again...
____________________________________________
Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Yakimono no Kokoro Bonsai Pottery
Hartville, Ohio

Advertisement

Will_Heath

Dale,

Wouldn't simply using an odd number of trees shut them up?

In all seriousness, this isn't about who does and who doesn't count trees, you can't stop the counters anyway. This is about what is more visually pleasing or artistically sound.

Our minds are wired to appreciate odd number arrangements, why then would we do anything else but to use this to our advantage?



Will

Dale Cochoy

Yep Will, ....you're right
If ya got 'em and they look good!


Smoke 'em if ya got "em
Dale

__________________
________________________________
If you want to be Different....
You have to DO something Different!
__________________________________________

Some people NEVER take the time to do a job right the first time....
but, they always seem to make the time to do it over again...
____________________________________________
Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Yakimono no Kokoro Bonsai Pottery
Hartville, Ohio

Will_Heath

Good idea, going for a smoke...

RonMartin(deceased)

Thank you Dale. And I do agree with your statement about counting being a newbie game.
No slam intended with that statement. Just commenting on how experience makes one see things a bit clearer.
When it all boils down to the basics it is "what looks good" that matters". After that numbers will take care of themselves.

Wow Just noticed that I got another bad rep point. What the heck not any different than the ones I have already gotten from the same source. I am a big boy and should be able to handle those kind of things ;o)

Will_Heath

Agreed.

And as many, besides myself, have pointed out....what looks good is odd numbers.

Glad we settled this.


Will

bwaynef

Will, I believe we all concede (poor choice of words, agree may be a better one) that odd numbered trees (can) look good in a forest planting. You have failed to prove though, that even-numbered trees inherently look bad.

__________________
----------------------------------
© 2004 - present bwaynef

RonMartin(deceased)

Will_Heath

Let's see...

1) Practically every book on bonsai mentions that an odd number of trees is more visually pleasing in groups of less than 10.

2) The simple fact that odd numbered arrangements in any composition is mentioned in almost every single article on aesthetics from hairstyling, gardening, and decorating, to such things as painting, sculpture, and yes, even bonsai.

3) Using odd numbered objects in art dates back long before any of us were born and as I showed in the first post, the greatest artists of all time recognized and used this principle.

4) Scientific study has shown that we have a tendency to group and count even numbered objects and that we actually see odd numbered arrangements as more visually pleasing.

I'd have to say that the long history, the studies, and the great artists that have created works that still move us are proof enough that even numbers just don't work.

Personally, I'll take all the examples of history, art, and the world class bonsai forests over mere conjecture any day.

The proof is in the pudding, I have shown examples of art with an odd number of objects, I have shown studies, I have posted the math, others have given excellent links, and there are countless examples of odd numbered forest bonsai such as Goshin (11 trees). What more can I do? You see this is not just an "opinion" instead, it is in fact, a belief held by many people in many different areas besides bonsai. All areas that deal with aesthetics hold the same thoughts.

I would be greatly interested in actually seeing some articles, books, studies, or visually pleasing bonsai that would support the even numbered argument.

I think I have supported my beliefs quite well with more than just my say so. The question ithat remains to be answered is if there is any foundation at all for the even numbered thought to stand on?


Will