ilex verticillata literati

fredtruck

Thanks for this input, Pootsie.

I think you are right, that the best parts of the tree are not coming out, but the question is how to get that done.

While I think my photo is good, the tree is very difficult to capture. For one thing, it is 43.5" above the GROUND...not wide, but high. For another thing, from the pot, the trunk of the tree moves over 2 feet towards the viewer, so in the image, the tree is considerably foreshortened. It is very dramatic, but doesn't fit into the usual bonsai display situation. I have already shortened the trunk a foot and a half. I expected back budding, but got none below the point where it is now.

The foliage at the base is actually 2 very small trunks. There used to be another trunk, almost as big as the remaining tree. I worked for 2 years to integrate it, but finally, it got chopped. The positioning was just too awkward. I may remove those two small trunks, which are suckers that appeared after the other main trunk was chopped. I don't know yet.

Another problem with the photo is that it doesn't show the mound of soil is actually roots. They are covered, for the most part, with a very thin layer of soil. I can probably reduce the root ball over time, but as it is, some very nice, heavy roots are developing.

Having said that, I like your image very much. I'm open to suggestions as to how I can do that with what I have. One other thing--wiring doesn't work well. For a year, I had the trunk wired to fold back on itself, thus shortening it. When I removed the wire, it was back to its current position in two weeks. That, and the wood is extremely brittle.

Thanks, again, for all input. I appreciate the time it takes to do virtuals.