Tree of the Day - Wednesday April 27, 2005

John Dixon

Sterling,

I am in agreement with your assessment. I respect the opinions of others on this bonsai, but the chaotic nature of the design cannot be explained, it just "is". Your remarks about the sharied trunk are especially profound. The slender trunk "in front" on the shari breaks it up, and nullifies the expression that the shari should provide. Granted, everything I have mentioned could have occurred in nature, but why would you seek to employ those points if they aren't necessary?

One post remarked that the author felt the artist intentionally used the crossing trunks and grouping of four to portray their idea. My question is "why" to that. If you are trying to see if your can make four trunks work instead of three or five and not design a symetrical shape, okay, I can live with that, but if the same design can be done in a more superior way with three or five, why do it with four? It seems like some are more apt to want to intentionally stray from "standardized" methods than others. When the change results in a positive increase of design, I say well done. When it doesn't substantially add or even lowers the value of the design, I do not see the logic in that philosophy.

In my humble opinion, this forest does not improve with the high crossing "X" and the total of four trees. I am glad that others do find substance in this approach, but I am not in league with that membership.

Sterling, I believe that you have made some very valid observations.

John

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mike_p

Is this Hamlet's tree? I hear it now: "To X or not to X, that is the question".
With apologies to W. Shakespeare.

Mike

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EarthgirlOK

I agree with everyone who has said that this tree is visually stunning. At first. But then, the eye gets a little lost (I think). I do like the lush canopy, but it bothers me a little how exaggerated the lean in the trunks is in comparison. Windswept trees aren't quite as full (at least not where I'm from ), and certainly don't generally have rounded puffs of foliage, a minor weakness it this group. The other thing that is out of kilter to me is the tree second from left that seems to be growing the wrong direction: why would all the other trees be windblown and not this one? To me, this one tree upsets the harmony of the rest.

Now, if the artist was shooting for discord, that's fine, but perhaps the overall canopy should not form one harmonious shape...

I think this is a raft planting, and if it is, repositioning everything is a mute point.

But if it isn't, I'd like to see things opened up a bit and tidied up a little. Less is more here, I think.

The problem with my idea for this group is that once you make the changes I have proposed, you lose much of the immediate and visceral effect.

I'm also not crazy about the overall canopy shape I came up with. In the original picture, and in my virt, I am really bothered by a confusing muddle of branches and foliage; it's hard to see what's actually going on there sort of in the center of the canopy. I'd like to see that cleaned up a bit, but I didn't take it on.

Of course, I think Walter's slab idea was on the money.

This, to me, is one of those examples where you'd either want make one or two big changes, or completely leave it alone and enjoy it the way it is.

I would like to have this on my shelves to think about.

As I look at this group, I doubt I would actually do very much to it, but it would be a tree I would ponder alot.

Thanks Matt for the challenge!

Attached Images

tod 4.27.jpg (26.5 KB, 27 views)

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rockm

I think the point of this entire planting ARE the crossed trunks, the inherent conflict and tension (and resulting scars resulting from the friction) between the trees. The smaller container, I think, is meant to specifically focus on that conflict rather than the rather wide plain vanilla canopy. The shari and cross appear roughtly at "centerstage" in the container. The larger virtual slab-based landscape portrayal minimizes the trunks to the extent the cross becomes an afterthought, and instead emphasizes the movement of the canopy.

I think this planting has a message--at least it does for me--that although conflict is natural, it can also be painful and leave scars.

Lee

How to critique a tree---Start at the base work up the trunk line(or lines) and come back down with the foliage.Try it with this one,that crossing trunk just aint doing a thing for me,I cannot follow the line,so pass me the cutters

bonsaikc

I am not opposed to crossed trunks in forest plantings. On the contrary, I find that it lends a naturalness to the planting that is refreshing. On this tree, however, I believe the crossing trunk to be too far at odds with the composition. The canopy should be ordered better and arranged into layers, but not necessarily thinned out except to promote the thicker growth. I like the slab idea so I incorporated Walter's virt. slab.

Chris Johnston

Attached Images

TOD_27APR20052virt.JPG (42.9 KB, 17 views)

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pootsie

I am all at odds about this tree and don't know what to think.

Hmmm, how about what I feel? Mixed feelings. This presentation is a challenging one, but over all I don't "feel" much interest in it.

Great to see this discussion tho' -- three more cheers for Treebay!

pootsie

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Ian_Homer

Hi All,

Well, I have to say I see Pootsies point on this one. Something is not quite right and I have looked at this composition several times during the day. Only now, have I seen what I am not happy with.

I love Walters virtual. It is an informal group, so the slab works perfectly. But that straight trunk is not complimentary to the overall design.

My rough variation on Walters virt, puts some curve into that straight trunk, while I would also try to move it to the back, behind the trunk with the shari.

This looks better. (imo) What do YOU think ?

Ian.

Attached Images

AMMENDEDGROVE.jpg (69.8 KB, 24 views)

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