Trident Maple...

This is one of mine trident, was made from cutting.
The pot, plant, artificial rock, had been all of my authorship.







12 years...
Shabat Shalom Luciano.
http://bonsaistudio.forumvila.com/index.php

Nice tree, nice rock , nice pot and nice display.

The only thing I would do on the tree is (as usual) to get rid of the pointed top so it looks more like a tree and less like a bonsai.

Jim, is a defect that we will correct!
We have that to lose this vice of apex in arrow point!!!
Shabat Shalom, Luciano.
http://bonsaistudio.forumvila.com/index.php

Very nice. You said "artificial rock". Did you make it, and if so of what material? Thanks!

Planting it lower might hide those thick ungainly bottom roots......

Carolee, In this work we use common Cement, fine Sand, Pigment of color for cement and White Cement.
I learned this to many years behind, through a VHS tape., that he was brought by a friend who came of China! The Chinese artists, who make this work of a wonderful form. I tried to imitate, also I make the Artificial Fountain that reproduces a mountain. In link below I am one of the topics where I make, step by step, this work.
http://bonsaistudio.forumvila.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1329






The tree is a Zelkova Nireyaki, and I find that he was cool with the rock.
Will, Good comment, only positive comments!
Shabat Shalom Luciano.
http://bonsaistudio.forumvila.com/index.php

Thanks for the information. I'm going to try it. I think the rock/tree you posted is very, very interesting. It provides multiple opportunities for viewing. Thanks!

At the beginning, the Artificial Rock, is seeming a cement mount.
To put with the time, mosses, they grow in it and they are very pretty.
Shabat Shalom, Luciano.
http://bonsaistudio.forumvila.com/index.php

Fantastic work on your rocks they look very real and certainly add a personal touch to your Bonsai. I'm finding that the right rock is sometimes elusive for the look I'm trying to achieve and this would solve that problem.

I'm always looking for ways to personalize my Bonsai and have made my own pots in the past. Did you use paper pressed into different areas to make the holes in the rock and when it dried just pulled the paper out? Thanks for the idea; I can’t wait to try it.

I also have a Trident Maple I’m getting ready to cut down. I was surprised when I found my lovely roots that were showing were the second set of roots on the Maple. Had to readjust my design but that is part of the fun!

Interesting concept. I agree with Will that the heavy roots under the rock need to be hidden or layered off as it ruins the scale of the composition. The planting would look better if the trunk to "rock" interface was more solid so that there was no space/ visible light between the vegetable matter and the rock. Also the tree would look better if the canopy wasn't so symmetrical. The tree's first branch (on the right) is in the direction of the tallest portion of the rock and this creates trapped space and makes the composition look cramped/unbalanced. Check out Wolfgang's Trident maple over rock of a good example of how to build a Trident canopy over a rock.

http://www.yamadori-bonsai.info/Putz06.html

My main concern though is the longevity of the cement rock. When the roots really start to clasp the rock they exert significant pressure. The cement will likely fail either by cracking, spalling or de-laminating. Good luck with it.

Rob, I am thankful to You for you alert and corrections to them to be done.
Shalom, Luciano.
http://bonsaistudio.forumvila.com/index.php
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As the roots of most trees normally become lighter in colour with age (white), have you considered using a darker (black) pigment in the rock to really get a contrast between the roots and the rock? The roots will then really show. Your rocks looks very natural.

how long's it take to achieve that kind of root set up?

Jaco,Normally I produce the cuts in Pet bottles., where they produce long roots. To put the process of rank of the artificial rock, takes 2 days.
Littleboy,Without doubts I go to try to use more pigments of color to make the rocks, good tip of contrast!
Shalom Luciano.
http://bonsaistudio.forumvila.com/index.php
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