Tall Shimpaku Literati...maybe:)

Here is a short before and after video of a tree that I've recently designed. This material was struck from a cutting and grown out in the ground. Unfortunately it was planted much too close to its brothers and sisters during the grow out stage (about 8 years) resulting in very tall and leggy material with no inside growth. I helped my friend dig about 30 of these trees and received a couple for my assistance:) The first thing I did with this tree was to airlayer 6 branches. I hoped to create a literati forest with that material but that is still a couple seasons down the road. As I started looking at what was left of this tree I started seeing something a little different...and decided just to go for it. I am reasonably pleased with the results but its still going to take a few more years to achieve the desired vision.



As always I would be interested in your feedback.
Thanks,
John

Gosh John, that is different and I think it sucks! Maybe it will improve with a few years work???

This is very nice work, John. Sorry for the late relpy, I totally oversaw your thread. If anything, there is only one thing my eye picks up, what do you think?





Best,
dorothy

Gosh John, that is different and I think it sucks! Maybe it will improve with a few years work.

And now for the serious response.....

Apologies - have been busy with a show all weekend and only just saw your video.

I came back up the coast road from the show today and I am struck by the fact that most of the trees (pines predominantly) on the hillsides look like what you are doing there. So I'm thinking windswept is good and if it were mine, I'd make the trunks slope even more. I'd even try to bend the thinner trunk up a (very tiny) bit more parallel to the larger one to further the windswept effect.

I'm aware that without a pic or virtual, that may not make any sense. I'll try to remedy that when I find my brain again as it seems temporarily to have left the building.

Dorothy and I seem to have crossed mid-ether there. The point she makes is good for me too, and if I was to continue down my windswept look, that bit she has highlighted would need to be redirected or even removed.

I like your tree. It is different, but I don't see that as anything other than a good thing.

Hey Dorothy, Thanks for the reply...I created a quick video to address your idea!
Thanks,
John

fiona wrote:And now for the serious response.....

Apologies - have been busy with a show all weekend and only just saw your video.

I came back up the coast road from the show today and I am struck by the fact that most of the trees (pines predominantly) on the hillsides look like what you are doing there. So I'm thinking windswept is good and if it were mine, I'd make the trunks slope even more. I'd even try to bend the thinner trunk up a (very tiny) bit more parallel to the larger one to further the windswept effect.

I'm aware that without a pic or virtual, that may not make any sense. I'll try to remedy that when I find my brain again as it seems temporarily to have left the building.

Hey Fiona, no apologies needed... Thank you for your ideas!! Windswept is certainly a possibility but not one of my personal favorites so it may have to wait until after I have exhausted a couple of other possibilities. First thing this tree needs more developed ramification and foliage so, other than removing the branch that I mentioned in the reply to Dorothy, I will probably just feed and water this tree well and let it develop for a year or two.

Thanks again,
John