Tree of the Day - Tuesday March 8, 2005

TreeBay

Here is our first Tree of the day. It's a Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

The image is also linked below so you can use the pencil tool to open the editor and perhaps note specific areas to illustrate your points.

Attached Images

5sm_maples2.jpg (43.1 KB, 68 views)

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Ian_Homer

Wow Matt,

Great Idea, this should get the suggestions flowing.
Only problem with ALL these forum upgrades is I'm spending more time on BT than working !!
Ok while you can get away with it - but NOT so clever when you are self-employed

Must departmentalize my time more: BT,Breakfast,Travel to work,BT,Do a bit,BT,Lunch,BT,Do a bit,BT,TravelBack,Tea,BT,Odd Jobs/Bonsai, BT, TVNews, then Bed,BT,err...sleep...

Trouble with a Laptop and Wireless networking is you can use the internet anywhere and everywhere. (Even, on the loo !!) opps - did I type that out loud)

Seriously, I see great ideas and new features almost on a weekly basis. Keep up the good work.

Ian.

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John Dixon

Ian,

I started laughing so hard at your remarks I think I injured myself!! Very funny. It's nice to see a sense of humor at 0700 (my time).

As to the bonsai-

The two biggest concerns I have with this bonsai are the space between the two trunks, and the container. I think the twin trunk style is good for this bonsai, but the trunks would be more pleasing without the space (touching at or just above soil level is better). The trunks do not seem to conflict in 'movement" with one another, and the subordinate trunk is leaning out to reach light. Very appropriate.

The pot is too tall and not wide enough. The maple will look much more impressive in a long, shallow oval pot. A pale or mottled blue strikes me as appropriate, although other glazes such as green, or off-white, would also be improvements.

A little ramification of branching AFTER the first two improvements I mentioned would be my next task. I think the upper part of the tree is very nice and natural looking.

That's my view,

John

P.S. Nice thread series Matt. This should be interesting.

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John Dixon

Si vis pacem parabellum

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

pootsie

Matt, this place just gets better and better!

I agree with John that the pot here is not quite right. Such a solid strong masculine pot does not enhance the gentle grace of the branches.

I also agree that as I scrolled down, I was much more excited with the upper part than the lower part. I'm a nebari man, so I find something lacking. I don't have a problem with teh space between the trees, but I do have an issue with the lump.

But the grace of the branches is a strong point. Very lovely, with the spring foliage. the foliage pads add to the image of gracefullness.

my 2 cents,
pootsie

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Ian_Homer

John,

Glad it made you laugh and you had a good start to the day - as the saying go's - watch someone go and spoil it !

Now the Tree.

I very much agree with ALL of Johns' observations with regard to the Tree and Pot combination.

I can't see much more could be done without a "drastic" change of style, which although not to the specific design criteria of a Twin Trunk, the present image gives a very natural and pleasing display.

Here is a quick virt in what I see as a better pot choice.

Ian

Attached Images

totd1.jpg (58.6 KB, 76 views)

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Deacon Jim

1. Strengths - Gracefull, leaf size and color

2. Weakness - The trees are light, airy, and graceful but a heavy dark pot and dark stand were used. Moss covering the entire base adds to the heaviness. The "Y" and crossing branch under the apex detracts from the grace. Bar branch on the right tree.

3. Improve - Shallow, light cream pot. Use the moss sparingly. Fix the "Y" and crossing branch. Remove the first branch on the right hand side of the right tree (bar branch and I don't think the tree needs it...from this 2D).

4. Reminds me of many maples in the dense Ohio woods. Long spindly trunks but the stong ones can form beautiful canopies that dance with the slightest breeze.

Deacon
P.S. Nice, Matt!

mike_p

I see two main things to do for improvement here. Ian has covered the first one with his oval pot virtual.
The second would be when potting this tree, turn it clockwise about 40 degrees so the the V between the two trunks isn't straight on to the viewer. I think that it always improves depth and perspective to have the lesser trunk somewhat behind the main.

Mike

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TreeBay

Does anyone want to take a crack at putting Ian's virtual into a formal display?

Regards,

Matt

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mkonig

I will not inflict a 3 point display virtual on any of you as I am still in the early learning stages concerning formal display.

I have however some comments on the tree.
Overall I like the tree(s) feeling of grace and I love the leaf colour. The choice of pot is unfortunate to say the least.

In the attached picture I have highlited specific areas for comment.

At (A), the trunks split off in to different directions at this point, visually creating a "Y". I think that the owner has incorporated the crossing branch to minimse this visual effect.
Rotating the larger trees 180 degrees would solve this and also allow for the fist branch on the right (c) to be removed, solving the problem with the bar branch. This would also introduce a definte movement to the left allowing for the trees to be placed more off centre to the right of the pot.

At (B), the nebari is not visible and the trunks seem to emerge transitionless from the soil. Exposing some surface root would help to make this tansition less harsh. I agree with others who have mentined that the trunks could be planted closer together where they emerge from the soil.


The shallow pot is a definite improvement.

This is my first stab at assessing someone elses bonsai so please be gentle.

Mike

Attached Images

1110314515_image.jpg (68.3 KB, 40 views)

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