It's a Pine . . . It's a pine!

And the only one I have -- or probably ever will have. Pines and I have never been on speaking terms.

I don't care for those scoop pots, either, but every bonsaiest has to have a pine, right? And if one, why not the other? Together?

Anyway, this is a Virginia pine (P. virginiana), a native to my area and most of the US east coast, in the Piedmont area. Its needles are short enough for a larger bonsai, but this one is only 6 1/2 inches off the soil line (although the trunk is longer -- about 8 inches), so I usually trim them.

It is about the only thing it could be -- a literati.

My question: Is there still too much top? Herewith, three sides, starting with the "front."

Congratulations on you first pine... ...well, I am still waiting for my first one

Yes there is still too much top. What do you think of taking the third pic as a front (or the original front if it is doable) and bend the first branch slightly down so you get the movement of foliage along the trunk not only on the top?

Best...

Gašper

First and ONLY . . . <g>

That's worth thinking about. Thanks.

Maybe like this. I have taken away one part of the branch that could be used for some depth but I'm not very skillful with the program I'm using.

[img][/img]

Why only one pine? When you two get to know each other you could create a little forrest , this one to be the last one over the cliff. I like your shohin trees, are these all nursery material?

Thanks. That looks nice.

And thanks for your appreciation of the little ones. They are my favorites. Many of them have been dug from my former or current properties. They may have a nursery background, but not recently.

Thanks for answering my sloppy question.

I'm starting to realise what makes shohin so different from other bonsai. I understand that sumo-shohin have a fat trunk that narrows quickly in to a short taper, but always wondered what makes the "thiner" trees so attractive...of course it always depends on material that you pick, but it's the way you present the tree and with that accentuating the fewer features that are there?... Is there more to it?

but it's the way you present the tree and with that accentuating the fewer features that are there?... Is there more to it?

That's certainly part of it. I prefer the slimmer, more tree-like, image. I've never been a "sumo bonsai" fan.

Fewer branches, fewer leaves, and, of course, choosing plants with normally small leaves.

For inspiration, go here: http://www.mini-bonsai.com/indexe.html

Thanks for the link Jim. Very inspiring

yamasuri wrote:Thanks for the link Jim. Very inspiring

x2

I think I am going to start with some shohin the following spring.

Hi Jim

Little tree, larger image, fewer branches...well, how about this, then



cheers

/Loke Emil

Thanks, Loke. Nice work.

Today . . .

I like it. That is also the way I would do it ...One thing though: Is there no way to make the top more defined as it looks too flat to me? - Because you have the first branch positioned nicely on a lower level I think you just need to make one more level in the crown (with the middle "candle" of the crown raised to make the peak of the apex) - is it possible?
Please, just my thought.

Well, the top is still young and to be developed. But don't hold your breath expecting to see a pointy-top pine apex. I just don't like them in most cases.

Glad you like it.

Of course, I did not think you should rush it.

JimLewis wrote: But don't hold your breath expecting to see a pointy-top pine apex.

Not at all, but more than pointy in this case, I was thinking of an effect of a rounder like shape - however, I do end up often shaping trees with pointy tops and although I don't like it initially, after a season or two I'm glad I decided to do so...

Yes, still like it very much