Larch Group

John Dixon

Sauce,

They're Japanese Larch.

John

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John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

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John Dixon

Wessel,

I don't see this group as being so symetrical. It works for me, but that's fine if you don't like it. It's not a specimen planting, just one I meant to post earlier in another thread about how adaptable the species can be.

It started off as a seven tree group, but one died and I removed another. I have read exactly the same procedures for groups as you just outlined many, many times. I'm surprised that you see so many flaws from that one photo.

Take care,

John

__________________
John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

John Dixon

Zube,

Thanks for sharing. The first planting is my favorite. The second one is good, but I dont "see" why those trees on the left are bending away from the dominant tree when so much open space is between them. Just my opinion, but the first one is the better of the two. I'd love to have either though!!!

Take care,

John

__________________
John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

John Dixon

Vic,

Thanks for the kind words.

The planting has negative space in the front. The main tree is just short of halfway in the depth of the pot. This planting had quite a different look about it when it had seven in it. I never knew why that one died, but the second one I removed is still doing well (albeit by itself).

Wessel made some good remarks about guidelines for group plantings, but I have always been pleased with the "in-person" quality of this group. The tallest tree is only about 15-16". I rarely use wire on it now, but one smaller trunk still needs to be wired to straighten an odd-looking kink. Clip and grow is more than satisfactory right now. I really like the pot's color with the needles in the fall. The stone in the pot is exceedingly "ancient" looking. I found it in the NC mountains and, to me, it looks like a "boulder" where a hiker would stop to take a little break. Hence, I used it in a "forest".

Just my little version of scenery during a pleasant hike. It'll never win any award, but that's not supposed to be the point is it?

Best regards,

John

__________________
John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

John Dixon

As best as I can duplicate, the original group looked similar to this virtual. The one full trunk with the red line is the tree that died. I also "topped" two existing trees with the partial red line showing what was removed. The tree to the far right with the green line was removed, but is still living.

John

Attached Images

1140974395_image.jpg (45.4 KB, 26 views)

__________________
John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.

Victrinia_Ensor

John,

Very well said. I have no doubt that the in-person quality of the group is just as you say. I think your goal was well met. I would only be so happy to have a larch forset as pleasing as your. Photographs being two dimensional often throw off the nuances of perspective. Enjoy the memory of that hike my friend, you have created a lasting memorial to the moment.

Most Kindly,

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Ms. Vic

Le belle cose prendono tempo...

www.elandangardens.com

Dag936

John,
I don't think the grouping has much of a "picket fence" feel to it at all. I feel like the relatively small number of trees, and the excellent use of angling (relative to the main tree) of the smaller larches to create perspective overcomes any feeling of unnaturalness. Also, the "ground" is very well done. With most bonsai, the ground would usually be the last thing noticed, but in this specimen, it was one of the first. The patchiness of the moss and the boulder create a very natural and convincing setting. The fallen needles also add to this feel, though I'm guessing those are just a temporary feature til you get around to brushing them off . All in all, nice grouping.
-billy