Slender shimpaku #2

Vonsgardens

OK, the last tree may not have been "fair" as it has a lot of very old, very interesting deadwood. Here is a tree that I purchased from Keith Scott as part of the John Kipp (Kawa-en) estate that Keith was selling at WBC last year. I purchased a number of these trees, resold several, as a way of helping Keith in his very noble task of helping John's wife after her loss.

It is shown before and after. Again, this is an old tree in an old pot. Estimate the trees age at 50+ years, it is kishu and has been in a pot since being started as a cutting in the mid 50's. See- they don't grow very fast in pots. If will be repotted next spring or spring after, depending on how well it responds to the work here. Any ideas? John

Attached Images

	ol kishu #2.jpg (67.2 KB, 70 views)
	ol kishu 2 styled.jpg (56.6 KB, 104 views)

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zen

Very nice, most would have just begun ramification on what was there and maybe some fine wiring, but i really like what you havew done with this tree, in the way of "line refinement", this a very imporatant thing in our art, it is also one of the most overlooked tasks. Thanks for reminding all of us how it can really help bring our a lot of character in our trees.

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ChrisM

the only thing i can say negative about it is the bottom left branch should go. other than that i think it is a great tree, nice job.

Attached Images

1.JPG (45.4 KB, 30 views)

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mike_p

Hi John
That's a very good-looking shimpaku. However since I'm a bunjin fan, and if it was my tree, this is how I would consider styling it. Then rotate the pot about 30 degrees clockwise.

Mike

Attached Images

ol kishu 2 styled.jpg (63.7 KB, 24 views)

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hansvanmeer

Hi John,

Very pleasing first styling, the open and light foliage is very appealing and there is a nice flowing movement in this slender tree!
And because the open and light foliage is such a important point in this design, but because this is so open and transparent the movement and details of the branch should be in harmony with the overall movement and design off the tree! there are a few point that are disturbing when i look at the general movement of your tree. I hope you don't mind that i made some virtuals to explain what i mean? The Jin on the right is in a big open space and seems to go in a different direction than all the other branches, and therefore becomes a bid off a eye catcher, instead off adding something to the overall impression off your nice design! The smaller left trunk is nicely placed and moves in harmony with the large trunk. But it is a bid to long and blocks the way of the first important branch on the left of the main trunk. This branch is now placed growing upwards, in the opposite way off the main movement of the tree. In my virtual i shortened the small trunk so there was room to lower this branch in a position more fitting with the overall movement of the tree. The first branch on the right is shortened a little, so it is not on the same height as the one on the left, and to avoid it hanging to much in the inner side off the curve off the trunk. The second branch on the left is as the first branch on the left, bent down to mimic the movement off the first one. I shorted the height off the tree and rounded the shape off the foliage.
I think that the tree looks a bit more elegant, open and older now.
I hope you don't mint me saying all this, i still feel a bid uncomfortable giving comments on somebody else his work.
I still find that the overall shape and idea behind your design are good and appealing, but you need to change some minor things to make it even better than it already is.
Well don,
Regards Hans.

Attached Images

	ol kishu 2 styled 1.jpg (66.7 KB, 16 views)
	ol kishu 2 styled.jpg (56.6 KB, 15 views)
	ol kishu 2 styled 2.jpg (60.9 KB, 23 views)