Shohin Yew

Here's a little Yew I have been working on. Styled over two years from raw stock, bought for one dollar.

Next I will detail the apex and start on a little Shari work.....and of course, find a suitable pot.

(yes I know all about the bar branches, but they will stay for now out of necessity)


Will

i like it ,, it could really turn out nice ... for a buck why not ... good work man ...

G'day Will...

"...yes I know all about the bar branches..." ???

What's wrong with bar branches Will? I know...John Naka...among many others...

But...but...but...Ive seen bar branches in Nature since before I knew what they were to...forever. From the Pacific to the Atlantic...from Canada to Mexico...from sea level to over 12,000 feet elevation. Hawaii too.

Nothing unnatural about bar branches.

Oh...nice start on yewr little Yew...

Pat

This tree is just a little under seven inches in height.

bonsaistud wrote:G'day Will...

"...yes I know all about the bar branches..." ???

What's wrong with bar branches Will? I know...John Naka...among many others...

But...but...but...Ive seen bar branches in Nature since before I knew what they were to...forever. From the Pacific to the Atlantic...from Canada to Mexico...from sea level to over 12,000 feet elevation. Hawaii too.

Nothing unnatural about bar branches.

Bar branches are considered visually unappealing, distract attention from the rest of the tree, and can cause a swelling of the trunk at that point. Yes it happens in nature, but that's not sufficient; we also want our bonsai to be aesthetically pleasing. When we look at trees in nature for inspiration, we don't just pick trees at random, we pick the ones that grab our attention, that stir our emotions.

It has always been my opinion that bar branches are only a problem if they are the first thing you notice about the tree. Bonsai is the art of first impressions. The eye of the viewer will always go to the most significant visual feature of any tree and wander from there. If the initial feature to draw attention is a bar branch relationship then you have a problem. This is not the case with this tree. The only time you really notice the bar branches is when you go to analyzing the trees form rather than enjoying its form.

Will Heath wrote:This tree is just a little under seven inches in height.

Will,
I think its a wonderful start for a shohin Yew.

"...considered visually unappealing..."

I know, Cliff, I know...

However, as Vance said "...bar branches are only a problem if...".

Thank you Vance.

Just another example of "the eye of the beholder". If it works for you, that's OK...if it doesn't, that's OK too...

Pat