Ficus burtt-davidii 1991

Went to the Bonsai Nursery Close to Cape Town yesterday to get some Wire, and couldnt resist this tree.

Shall I turn it into a Windswept Style? It looks very promising, what do you People think?

Hi Andre

It is a lovely little tree...a semicaskade is what I would want from this tree.... It does not look very windswept to me, and a windswept tree is not easy to maintain, it can become a fight to keep it right....

Kind regards Yvonne...keep us updated

I agree with Yvonne, semicascade.

semi cascade sure. you don't see ficus windstep frequently. Here in Brazil never!! keep us posted ok?

I also think semi-cascade.
It is almost already there.
Keep us posted.
Jerry

Thanks Guys and Garls ...i'll see what I can do.....

Andre Beaurain wrote:Went to the Bonsai Nursery Close to Cape Town yesterday to get some Wire, and couldnt resist this tree.

Shall I turn it into a Windswept Style? It looks very promising, what do you People think?

after some wiring
am I on the right track?


This is the front I think...


Anyhing else I should do?

Hi Andre

When looking at the last photo, does it look like the tree is headed in two directions , not so good. Were are you planning a taper?.....On the right side of the tree is all branches visual compeeting with each other.
Could it be the tree is better if you turn the right side slightly more to the front?

Looking at the second last photo, is there a much better and interesting movement, and the nebary is looking great. Maybe someone on the forum can help you with a design....

Just thoughts
Kind regards Yvonne

Thanks Yvonne, I see your point.
The taper will be the top branch not yet wired.
Here is a photo from the top.


Please Help.

Yvonne Graubaek wrote:Hi Andre


Could it be the tree is better if you turn the right side slightly more to the front?

Looking at the second last photo, is there a much better and interesting movement, and the nebary is looking great. Maybe someone on the forum can help you with a design....

Just thoughts
Kind regards Yvonne

Here is the tree a the angle you Yvonne. Ofcourse the Taper would be the branch on the far bottom left corner. and not he top as I said earlier.

Last photo is looking great...are you sure it is not a slanting tree after all?

Looking at your "front" I think you have too many branches. The large group to the right needs to be thinned out and the branch going straight up shortened or removed.

Hi Andre,

...of course it can be made into a windswept style. it got a good trunk line feature suitable for a windswept style. but your current direction on wiring and initial design work (IMHO) is not working towards that windswept design. I think you got to sacrifice some existing major branches that are too hard to bend and utilize the younger branches as your main branches in the future.

I'll try to provide an sketch for you later.

regards,
jun

Hi Andre,

my idea for windswept:





If you opt for a windswept design, I think you should change some of the wiring direction that you have already done, and provide some movement on the bendable branches. Robert Stevens books got a very good discussion on this aspect and easy to follow instruction on creating windswept design.

regards,
jun

Thanks Billy I new that there are to many branches, but I wasnt sure which ones to remove.
Yvonne I was trying to make it into a semi-cascade...obviously it doesnt seem like it yet.

Jun, Thank you. When I bought the tree I had in mind to turn it into a windswept, but nobody opted this style for my tree, so I thought to go with the semi-cascade.
But Hooray, then you came along and suggested it with your AMAZING drawing!

I'm going to honor Jun's drawing and go back to my initial Windswept Idea. I try and immitate his drawing to the last twig. Then one day I can say I own a tree designed by JUN the incredible!!

Hope I will get it right. Where can I order Robert Stevens book?

You are welcome Andre,

Twig movements are the trickiest part and very important part for windswept. sometimes more important than the trunk movement.


For Robert's book, send him a PM.

regards,
jun

Andre Beaurain wrote:This is the front I think...

Great sketch Jun. Really brings it to life. I think this is the money shot and you're almost there.

Keep us posted Andre.

Have a great week!!!
Sam

Thanks Sam, will definately keep you posted.

Just Ordered Robert's Books. Postage is almost as much as both the books....they must really be weight down by all the information... hahahahhahahaha Cant wait for them to arrive and will then continue with the Windswept Design....Yippeee

love and light
Andre

Ghello again from the world of the Ficus burtt davidii

Got Robert's books and a couple of others, Page so much through Roberts books they are already falling apart.  Joke.

You can see that I'm following his rules accordingly.  I would like to know what you think Robert?  And what now.  
The Ficus is now in his third wiring.  The thick branches were wired first, and you can see that I left them on a little to long, but the scars will heal later, as all ficus's do.

The tree is still floating form slab to pot deciding what will suit it best.
 I would like it to only sit on the rock later but I think the root place on the rock is to small.

What do you think?  I'm starting to love it even more.  And as everyone said, Windswept is not for the faint hearted.  But I'm getting there.



Love and light

Andre,

would not the rock, block the wind and make the tree more normal ?
Later.
Khaimraj

No really Khaimraj, I don't think so , not the South Easter in Cape town.....  Maybe if the tree was 1cm high.

You can see, that in the middle, a branch grew backwards towards the rock, I especially left this for that exact reason, as it was protected by a small area from the rock, but as the branch grew it caught the wind again.

You can also see that the top sticks out above the rock.

Have you ever tried hiding behind such a small rock in a storm...do you think there is no wind behind such a rock.

What about the tree?  



Love and light

Andre',

the key situation with the Windswept style, is, is it believable?

On our side, the windswept aspect, flows through the entire tree, root, right up to the leaves. So anyone who spends time observing and perhaps drawing such a tree, would look for the harmony that comes with wind blowing across a tree almost continuously.

I questioned the rock sticking up because it does not look right.

Try this philosohy - if a painting needs words to explain it is a failure. So it should be with a Bonsai.

Additionally, remember this is just my opinion, a hundred other viewers might say it looks fine.

As to the second image. A very interesting rock. Feels like it should have a tree set in a cavity. So when you turn the rock around, it is ?????????????????.
Later.
Khaimraj

On the windswept -
[1] Maybe the tree leaning on the rock? Cradled in the rock curve ?
[2] Maybe a slab and small rocks elsewhere?

IMHO Andre. 6 Branches from the left side, (Top branches ) if removed it will look much better.


regards,
jun  

L.L.B.,

as we say on our side, too many cooks spoil the broth. So if you are stepping in, I will step out. I am not sure how much Andre' can handle, and I don't want to cause anymore hurt.
Stay Well.
Khaimraj

LLB,
Come on!
I was in this since July 2012...hehehe, And the one who suggested Robert's book and to have a go on the windswept style... Below was my idea last year.

jun wrote:
Hi Andre,

my idea for windswept:





If you opt for a windswept design, I think you should change some of the wiring direction that you have already done, and provide some movement on the bendable branches. Robert Stevens books got a very good discussion on this aspect and easy to follow instruction on creating windswept design.

regards,
jun

Regards,
Jun