First Attempt At A Windswept

IsomJ1

The initial bends were there when I purchased - which was about 2 years ago. It was advertised as a "False Cedar" and was in pretty poor health. I repotted into the oversized pot it is in now, did some initial pruning and then just left it for the last two years. Since it seemed to have recovered it's health, I decided to try an initial styling. I debated over attempting a cascade (tipping the whole thing) or doing a windswept. I opted for the windswept since it seemed to be naturally inclined (no pun intended) that way. My only real hesitation is that the foliage tends to be somewhat droopy. Two things - 1) What kind of tree is it (it looks juniperous to me) and, 2) Does it work? Also, almost forgot, which "front" is preferable? Thanks.

Attached Images

windwept1.jpg (60.9 KB, 209 views)

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Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

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IsomJ1

Alternate view....

Attached Images

windwept2.jpg (55.7 KB, 196 views)

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Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

Geodude

Okay. I'll take a stab:
With the first picture as the front, from the bottom up, branch 1 I would create a jin.
Branch 2 that moves in front of the trunk should be removed.
Branch 3 looks okay but maybe shape the secondary branchs a bit more.
Branch 4 looks like it moves at the same level as branch 3. If so, remove
Top is too straight with little taper. Maybe create a jin.

I'm a relative beginner and don't know much about "false cedar" (maybe chamaecyparis - false cypress?) to know whether other things could be done to improve it.

Good luck.

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Paul

"Life will be sweet like a rhapsody
When I paint my materpiece"

Geodude

A quick virtual to show what I mean:

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temp virt.jpg (32.2 KB, 168 views)

__________________
Paul

"Life will be sweet like a rhapsody
When I paint my materpiece"

IsomJ1

Thanks, Paul. I'm going to keep your virtual for future reference - maybe do the additional branch cut this fall or next spring. I'm really reluctant to cut off any more branches (except the small one that crosses the trunk) or too much more foliage this year. I took off a lot - probably 1/2 again as much as is left - already. I really like your virtual and appreciate the response.

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Jeff Isom
Cleveland, OH / Sunset Zone 39

Jonny D

Hi Jeff, I've looked at this picture long and hard over the last couple of days, my bonsai teacher has started to notice that everything i touch ends up as windswept I have no idea why, maybe something sub conteous (sp?). Anyway to your tree (in your post in the other forum you said you don't mind a bit of constructive critiscm, so if you do mind it stop reading now!).

1st off re-assess your wiring its difficult to see properly from the photos but certainly in places it doesn't look at 45 degrees and looks a bit close together in places (if your unsure how to wire look up wiring on the search this forum bit of the forum). Remember to anchor the wire firmly - some of your wiring looks ok you are using the sling shot technique fine in some places. What are you using for wire? I've never seen wire that is so orange in colour usually brown or browny/silver, depending on Japanese or Korean.

2nd you are going to have to wire everything not just the areas that you have done there appears to be several branches and shoots with no wire at all. You will have to use different gages of wire for this and wire right to the tip of the branch. Try to trap as little foliage in your wiring as possible - I no it is hard. Take your time.

3rd as for positioning and placement of branches, including movement of the trunk and leader (you may have to wire the trunk with thick wire to introduce movement), it is difficult to see there is alot of clutter and many of the branches cross each other. If it were me I'd first remove any thing that is growing downward from the branches (those shoots that originate on the branch from the underside) a groomed foliage mass on on a tree like this should be virtually flat, and later then ramification can occur to bulk up the foliage if you want but only on the top sides, to many trees i see look like there foliage masses are clouds.

4th from this point i would then look at the structure of the tree and asses my situation as to branch positioning i would look at several pictures of windswept style and then try and come up with a difinative plan, remember three dimensions! I would try to avoid crossing branches and make definative foliage masses and spend some time on the apex at the moment it is diffcult to see what is going on there but it needs some attention, look up how apex's are delt with on windswpet styles. Looking at the pictures I can probably see that you can take the branches in this area the same direction as everything else but you need to have a look and a think. Once wired all the foliage can be moved into a more up right postion rather than the droppy way it is now, by this i mean horizontal. At preset it suggests semi cascade. Don't be affraid to create some real movement onced wired, if you here a crack stop, but you can usuallyfeel how far a branch/trunk will let you go. With rafia and time even further!

Lastly you ask which front is preferable, well this should have been you FIRST DECISION! based on root base followed by trunk and branch movement. For me either probably works in its present form.

Hope it helps
Jonny.