Couple of my Trees

Hi All,
I pruned this Procumbens Juniper yesterday and this Hornbeam. I have had the juniper for 7 years and the Hornbeam for 5 yrs.
I may enter the Juniper in a show this spring.
Hope you like them,
Geof

He Geof,

i'd seriously think about getting rid of the lower two branches the juniper.


Has gravity taken a 90 degree turn in your area? - looks like footprints on the vertical wall behind the trees.

Hey Rob,
I took out the virtual shears, but I don't think it does anything for it. This was also Robert Stevens idea a few years ago.

No gravity change here! Just a hasty backdrop. It was the porch for a Japanese house in our club exhibit I built.
Geof

I think it is quite a bit better without those lower branches. I was going to give you the same picture, but you did it for me.

I actually think (and it is only MHO) that it's miles better like that. But not perfect though and what I'd be interested in is how it would look if you left the bottom right (as we look at it) branch and only remove the bottom left ones. Have you time to get out your magic virtual shears again?

Hi Fiona,
In my humble opinion.....
I like the virtual without the lowest two branches as well. Plus, consider shortening the two remaining left (not back branch) branches where the "gaps" in foliage are. Or, is the higher left branch a branch by itself? Right now the tree feels "top heavy" and this would lighten the load; more bunjin with "less foliage!" I like both of your trees. The decision to remove any branches, for me anyway, takes time because of the myriad of possibilities. The juniper's pot is lovely by the way! Regards, Todd

Fiona's idea looks a big improvement to me.

Kev Bailey wrote:Fiona's idea looks a big improvement to me.

This is what I meant - the first on the left and the back branch.

But a pure bunjin might be even better.

I agree without the two lower branches it allows you to appreciate the curves on the trunk a bit more but I think I might go one more to let that upper drooping branch get a little more attention as well. Either that or lighten the top a bit (picture 2). I do think it feels a little too off balance and needs to go t the right a bit also. The third image is just me playing round a bit with ideas.

I quite like your pic 3, Jim. I'd thin out the crown a bit as well (but just a bit) and let the other pads develop a bit (ditto) to give a smoother overall shape.

I, also, like the third photo...that's where I would go if it were mine...

Pat…mounted on my trusted stead, riding off wildly in all directions

Hi Geof.

Sorry, but I tried a small modification to your tree.



Pavel

Hi Everyone,
Thankyou all for your comments and your virtual pictures. I also like Jim's 3rd picture, but the apex comes off a curve at the top and Jim has cut that off. I guess it could be regrown using a back branch that is there.
I think it is quite interesting that everyone has different view of what a bonsai should be and I am glad you guys and gal don't have the concave cutters in your hands near my tree!!! I really like it the way it is, but I might consider changing it
Has any one tried to graft roots to the base of their Hornbeams? My Hornbeam has a poor base and I think I might try to do it on this tree. The only other thing to do would be to Air Layer it at the basal burl and grow new roots. I would hate to risk losing the tree by that technique though.
Regards,
Geof

Geoff . .. I'm glad you responded with such calmness to all of our chopping on your very nice tree. I was about to write a note saying that despite our rather cavalier hacking up of your tree we actually liked it -- only Todd even bothered to say that -- which is why we (me included) were trying to "improve" it so assiduously.

You, of course, are the final arbiter. You're the only one who can see your tree in 3-D.

I for one would be happy to have as nice a juniper in my collection.

I would like to second what Jim has said and thank you for the your calm and collected response, sometimes these can get out of hand quickly when people are not looking for advice. When I did the images I did it never occurred to me to check and see if you, in fact, wanted any advice. I just went along with the stream of responses. I do like your tree though, I suppose we are all in a prime design mental state with spring warming our blood.

I also like Jim's 3rd picture, but the apex comes off a curve at the top and Jim has cut that off

I did in fact "remove" the top from your tree and drop it down. I wasn't sure if the apex could be bent back into that position or if a new leader would have to be developed but, again, it was just playing around with it a bit since I had it open. Good luck with the show if you decide to put it in.

Thanks Jim and Jim for your comments. I do like the tree the way it is. I have been following the IBC for years but never posted much. People post such nice trees here, so I thought I would share some of mine. I understand bonsai and have no problem with people wanting to cut this and that off. Our last club meeting was on Virtuals so we removed the first branch of the Juniper then but I didnt feel it helped.
Todd,
I should have said the pots in both pics are by my teacher Nick Lenz.
Regards,
Geof

Hi, i would like to propose my solution for this tree. Sure, the precedents solutions are very good, easy and fast to realize.
I propose a different way. The work is easy, but need at least 1 season to view some result on the foliage.
On the trunk, you'll see the result immediatly.

Hi Ivo,
WOW!!!!! I like it very much! This I would consider doing now! You guys in Italy are really doing something special over there! I have Sandro Segneri coming to my place for a USA Bonsai Creativo School in May.
Thanks for the virtual.
Regards,
Geof

I like the tree as is but, I like almost all the virtuals also. I also like all the comments and thoughts that it has inspired. And thats what this art is all about. To make your mind go somewhere beautiful and help calm or sooth something inside you.

Thanks for sharing your tree.

Geof wrote:Hi Ivo,
WOW!!!!! I like it very much! This I would consider doing now! You guys in Italy are really doing something special over there! I have Sandro Segneri coming to my place for a USA Bonsai Creativo School in May.
Thanks for the virtual.
Regards,
Geof

Thanks to you, Geof.
Sandro is a great artist! I think he will shows you many ways to change and see a tree.