My first tree

Carl_Bergstrom

I think I did understand what you meant, Jose.

And I'm afraid I don't like your virtual nearly as much as I like the unaltered tree. Those front branches really belong there.

The formal upright is a very specific form, with quite clearly defined rules. While I don't mean to say that these rules should never be broken, they do exist for a reason, namely that most of the time, they help. So I sure would want to be very familiar with these principles of design before deciding to break them.

Also note that Flynhamer mentions working from the absolute classic book, Naka's Bonsai Techniques. In volume II, Naka has a wonderful 56-page chapter dealing with precisely the subject of branch placement, in which he advocates placement of front branches with foliage clouds obscuring the lines of sight to the trunk in places. He sketches probably a hundred trees in this chapter as suggested designs, and you'll see that none have the completely exposed trunk that you have advocated.

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In any event, thank you for not taking offense at my stubborn disagreement.

All the best,
Old Mister

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Earl

I think it's a very nice tree as is. If I were going to do anything I would take one of those branches on the right about half way up and pull it forward to let it grow across the trunk. If that is too close to the small branch on the left, you might be able to that with the left hand branch. Just a touch to give it some dynamism. You could also maybe clean up the foilage just a bit to give it a little airier look.

But these are all refinements on a very good tree. I would certainly go cautiously cause it's hard to glue those branches back on.

Earl

Adam

Could you possibly post a picture of the finished tree when you decided what you are going to do with it.

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[Adam]
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Jose_Alberto

Well, maybe I'm not sticking to the rules, but I'm not in bonsai to make a master piece, but to find joy in what I'm doing, I believe beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I do like the way that the virtual looks... I just said I like that kind of old trees that show all the trunk, and I will stay on that, because before doing bonsais, I'm also an avid hiker, and I've seen so many of that kind of trees up in the mountains... so well... I hope you understand me...

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Jose Alberto Franco
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Flynhamer

Well here she is new soil and trim
What do you think? Havent wired yet was trying to let her relax and grow out a little first.

TreeBay

What a nice tree, especially for a first one!

I think I would get a branch jack on that lower trunk though. This tree wants to be a formal upright!

Regards,

Matt

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Flynhamer

Thank you for you kind words. I am sorry but I do not know what a tree jack is. Could you please explain. I first did this tree about 20 years ago. Would it hurt a tree this old? Yes it was a formal upright. She is my best buddy maybe after listening to me all these years I have done this to her. If you could explain one and how to use (branch jack) I would be greatful, I guess this is why I always kept the branches so full. I didnt even notice how bad it was until I cut back all the branches and was trying to see how it looked in the pot and was checking placement
Flyn

Adam

You can find a branch bender here.

http://www.treebay.com/index.html?A...ranch%20Benders

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[Adam]
"Cass Bonsai Gardens"
"Bonsai Knowledge"
"DaGhostCrew"

Ralph

Those virtuals showing the bare trunk look like a raincoat flasher.

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