Shimpaku, Redesign

bonsaial1

Here is a tree that I have had for sometime. I bought it from Mas Ishii about four years ago. I had planned to do a total redesign of the tree but a pest invaded.

I bought the tree because of the unusuall twist in the trunk. Four years ago I liked this sort of thing. Four years later I am not so sure I would buy it now. Especially for the money I gave for it. Thats another thread though.

Three years ago the tree started to turn grey. You guessed it, spider mite. The little fellows almost took the whole tree. Almost all the foliage turned grey and most fell off. I sprayed the tree and put it into the shade for the past three years and this is where the tree is today. I lost the branch by itself on the trunk, but most of the rest of the branches managed to stay alive. The tree is on the way back to it former self, and this is the first year since the spiders I have fertilized it. Most of all the grey foliage is gone and now I have healthy green foliage again. Some of the foliage is the juvenile needle foliage, but the scale foliage is coming in good now.

What I would like to do is redesign the tree. The crown needs to be designed with an apex. with the foliage almost too thin, I figure a bunjin design might be a good thing.

The trunk is 1 1/4 inches in diameter. The tree is 14" tall with a 13" branch spread. I think I would like to remove the branch from the trunk completely, and not leave a jin. I am going to Santa Cruz tomarrow for the show, and will not be able to work on the tree till early next week. I would like to see some virtuals of any designs that any one cares to do.

Attached Images

mastree.jpg (61.5 KB, 221 views)

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I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

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bonsaial1

Close up of the twist.

Attached Images

mascloseup.jpg (60.9 KB, 215 views)

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I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

bonsaial1

A view from a little further back.

Attached Images

mastwist.jpg (55.9 KB, 212 views)

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I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

bonsaial1

This is a different view by turning the pot somewhat. I think this could be a nice front too. Let me see some virtuals out there. I would like some opinions to see if I am on the right track.

Thanks, Bonsaial

Attached Images

masview.jpg (50.5 KB, 211 views)

__________________
I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

bonsaial1

Obviousley this tree has been neglected for a number of years. It has not been repotted for three years and the pot is covered in white calcium stains. I hate to see any of my pots in this condition. This is a green sand tokonome from Murata is Los Angelas. I bought it in 1984. I gotta get that cleaned up.

__________________
I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

bonsaial1

The pot all cleaned up.

Attached Images

greentokonome.jpg (17.0 KB, 200 views)

__________________
I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

bonsaial1

I cheated. I posted first. I hate when that happens.

Attached Images

maybe1.jpg (20.6 KB, 200 views)

__________________
I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

Rene_Voortwist

Hi Al,

Right after I made this virtual I relized that yours is much better.... Well, maybe just for the idea...

rgds, René

Attached Images

masvirt.jpg (21.0 KB, 171 views)

bonsaial1

I started in on the tree yesterday, and finished up today. I started by pruning out the large branch at the point of the twist in the trunk. The branch was half dead anyway, and would never be usefull in the design of the tree.

Attached Images

bun1.jpg (42.1 KB, 133 views)

__________________
I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!