Panel tree #1 Prostrata Juniper

bonsaial1

There was no more information attached to that tree than there was to any TOD tree posted. In fact I think there was more. It really didn't need anymore. This tree was placed there in the attempt to know if the shape was pleasing and the tree overall had a direction that should be kept. I know that the branches are lacking and refinement is not there. I think you guys try to finish a tree with a critique. I can tell you with experience that a tree is finished with years of methodical patience and not done in a few critiques on the internet.

I think some of you may be confusing critique with ameture workshop guru. The goal in a critique as I understand it is to look at the path the tree is on. For the most part most trees offered for critique are under construction by someone. The point is not to tear down everything the person has done thus far. It is not your tree! It is not your responsibility to restyle someone elses tree. I find the canopy that Ash put on that juniper a travesty to the image that Marco had tried so hard to achieve. It is the collections ambition to preserve in a collection or an endowment the flavor of the previous owner. This is something that I have very hard to do while working on trees in a collection. I seem to want to put my ideas and touches on a tree that I have no business changing. I need to keep the reflection of Marco in that tree and keep the flavor alive. I have found that to be my biggest challenge so far. Something that has not been easy for me to adjust to.

I remember the curator, Bob Hilvers telling me after I had just finished detail wireing a tree that had been recieved by the collection and was in drastic need of polishing. I had done the most marvelous job of placing the wire. I wanted the tree to be something that could be offered at a show but still retain wire and look good. I did a good job. I pinched out the tree and pruned some branches. I was so proud. Bob came over and said, Well now we have a new Keppler original. I had introduced so much of myself to the tree that I had made it my own.

Most people don't want too much in the way of opinion. Most people just want a litttle nudge in the right direction. "Yes your canopy looks great, and with detail wireing it will sparkle." "I like the line of the trunk, but something in the hanging branch is out of balance". Most people don't care about shari's and jins. They are there and for the most part there is nothing that can be done to change them, except shorten them or remove jins. Why make a big deal about them. If you don't like them or find them obtrusive just make sure they never find their way to your tree.

There may be an occasion or two, but for the most part I have never been to keen on talking about other peoples trees. I don't do critiques unless asked and do opine if that is what the threads about. I have been known on the forum as some kind of basher, but I think those that know me will tell that this is not the case. I have no need to bash someones tree or work. You can bet that if they ask for my opinion I will give it to them straight. Ask Redpine or Ron Martin. I'm more inclined to bash someone personally because they act childish, but not the work. I have too much respect for the work, its people that ruin the talk. The plants are just there minding their own business

Cheers, Al

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A tree a day...thats all we ask.