The Old Oak Style – A possibility for Bonsai??
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Khaimraj Seepersad
Ravi Kiran
6 posters
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The Old Oak Style – A possibility for Bonsai??
A lot has been said over the years about Bonsai Styles, Shapes and the inspiration that nature has to offer. One starts off with the traditional styles of Formal upright, Informal Upright etc. Having settled and honed ones techniques in these traditional styles over the years, one tends to look beyond. Nature does not disappoint an ardent seeker. The Bonsai loving people of South Africa drew inspiration from the Acacia that filled the Savannah and created a new style called Pierneef Style. The name being a dedication to a great local painter who painted landscapes with such trees.
In my rather short bonsai journey, I have always and continue to be inspired by nature for styling my bonsai. I do this with no disregard for the traditional styles. I do have a lot of trees styled in the traditional styles. Having said that the great grand Oaks have held out tremendous inspiration. One such specimen is the Angel Oak of Southern Carolina USA(pic below). I have not visited the US but have seen pics of this magnificent tree on the net. One of the characteristic of such a tree is that the branches of the tree droop downwards and actually touch the ground. Bonsai traditionally teaches us that branches need to droop slightly downwards to reflect age but this is taking the same logic to the extreme. The apparent age is a visual delight.
Having said that, I have styled one of my trees in such a style (pic below). The tree is about 15 years of age and in training with me for the last 10 years. The tree is Portulacaria Afra or Elephant Jade as it is commonly known.
Pls do excuse the quality of the photo. I understand it is too up close and in the face and I am lazy enough not to take another pic, at least for now. I am also both an amateur photographer . I hope the execution of the design inspiration is meaningful. Two specific questions
1. As a style is the Old Oak style suitable for Bonsai?
2. Can it be called an innovative style?
Do share your views.
Ravi
In my rather short bonsai journey, I have always and continue to be inspired by nature for styling my bonsai. I do this with no disregard for the traditional styles. I do have a lot of trees styled in the traditional styles. Having said that the great grand Oaks have held out tremendous inspiration. One such specimen is the Angel Oak of Southern Carolina USA(pic below). I have not visited the US but have seen pics of this magnificent tree on the net. One of the characteristic of such a tree is that the branches of the tree droop downwards and actually touch the ground. Bonsai traditionally teaches us that branches need to droop slightly downwards to reflect age but this is taking the same logic to the extreme. The apparent age is a visual delight.
Having said that, I have styled one of my trees in such a style (pic below). The tree is about 15 years of age and in training with me for the last 10 years. The tree is Portulacaria Afra or Elephant Jade as it is commonly known.
Pls do excuse the quality of the photo. I understand it is too up close and in the face and I am lazy enough not to take another pic, at least for now. I am also both an amateur photographer . I hope the execution of the design inspiration is meaningful. Two specific questions
1. As a style is the Old Oak style suitable for Bonsai?
2. Can it be called an innovative style?
Do share your views.
Ravi
Last edited by Ravi Kiran on Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:49 am; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : Cropped the image - Thanks to Khaimraj)
Ravi Kiran- Member
Re: The Old Oak Style – A possibility for Bonsai??
Ravi,
do you think you can cut off a bit to the left of the image on your original image - the section with all the black and see if more of the right side wil be fitted in the image ?
You are allowed to edit your post , ----------------- and then preview before posting as many times as you wish.
This from what I am seeing - might - be included in the leaning tree style.
Height ?
I can't say anymore, without the rest of the tree.
If that is all you have digitally imaged - I would then like to say - Thank you.
Khaimraj
do you think you can cut off a bit to the left of the image on your original image - the section with all the black and see if more of the right side wil be fitted in the image ?
You are allowed to edit your post , ----------------- and then preview before posting as many times as you wish.
This from what I am seeing - might - be included in the leaning tree style.
Height ?
I can't say anymore, without the rest of the tree.
If that is all you have digitally imaged - I would then like to say - Thank you.
Khaimraj
Khaimraj Seepersad- Member
Re: The Old Oak Style – A possibility for Bonsai??
Khaimraj - Thanks for the suggestion. I have done the needful. Trust this is a little better than the earlier image... The height of the tree is about 10 inches.
Jim - Thanks for the reply. Good tree. Refinement is pending. I am sure you have a plan for the same.
Ravi
Jim - Thanks for the reply. Good tree. Refinement is pending. I am sure you have a plan for the same.
Ravi
Ravi Kiran- Member
Re: The Old Oak Style – A possibility for Bonsai??
Thanks for the pic Ravi....that Oak is an amazing looking tree.
Jesse- Member
Re: The Old Oak Style – A possibility for Bonsai??
Ravi,
from your image, I would say I like what you have, my only comment would be to see about tightening your clipping technique for tighter growth.
I only started to work with this shrub, last year and I am afraid I can offer nothing else. Apologies.
If you are truly trying to create a similar tree to the oak, I think you need a larger pot for a larger tree and a trunk of about 4 or 5 inches [ 10 to 13 cm ] with long heavy branches.
Easily done [ on another effort ], why spoil your effort. Just refine what you have.
If you have no ego problem see if you can talk to this gentleman, he would have information on how to refine your technique.
Jim Smith -
http://www.jimsmithbonsai.com/index.html
Portulacaria afra [ Ser. #0-0110 ] catalogue page 10 -[ keep looking there are many more to see. in the catalogue.]
Thanks for showing - got more ?
Khaimraj
from your image, I would say I like what you have, my only comment would be to see about tightening your clipping technique for tighter growth.
I only started to work with this shrub, last year and I am afraid I can offer nothing else. Apologies.
If you are truly trying to create a similar tree to the oak, I think you need a larger pot for a larger tree and a trunk of about 4 or 5 inches [ 10 to 13 cm ] with long heavy branches.
Easily done [ on another effort ], why spoil your effort. Just refine what you have.
If you have no ego problem see if you can talk to this gentleman, he would have information on how to refine your technique.
Jim Smith -
http://www.jimsmithbonsai.com/index.html
Portulacaria afra [ Ser. #0-0110 ] catalogue page 10 -[ keep looking there are many more to see. in the catalogue.]
Thanks for showing - got more ?
Khaimraj
Khaimraj Seepersad- Member
Re: The Old Oak Style – A possibility for Bonsai??
Khaimraj - Thanks again for your comments. My adaptation of the inspiraton, is a variant and not a literal adaptation. Hence my design is what it is and I believe that it is almost done. Could try another one (open to other species including Jade) to have a more literal adaptation of the inspiration as suggested by you.
Ego Problem - Thankfully no. Did visit Jim's site. Good one with nice trees. However this tread is not species specific but rather Old Oak Design Specific. Hence trying to remain focused on the design. Shall try and see by giving the site another detailed look for something on technique.
Jesse - Thanks for your comments
Ego Problem - Thankfully no. Did visit Jim's site. Good one with nice trees. However this tread is not species specific but rather Old Oak Design Specific. Hence trying to remain focused on the design. Shall try and see by giving the site another detailed look for something on technique.
Jesse - Thanks for your comments
Last edited by Ravi Kiran on Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:52 am; edited 1 time in total
Ravi Kiran- Member
Re: The Old Oak Style – A possibility for Bonsai??
The Angel Oak is in South Carolina, near Charleston ...for all of you willing to make the trek to see a tree. (Seeing the tree in person, I can attest that its worth it, ...but I didn't have to travel very far.)
bwaynef- Member
Re: The Old Oak Style – A possibility for Bonsai??
Southern California or South Carolina ?
Bugeye- Member
Re: The Old Oak Style – A possibility for Bonsai??
bwaynef - Thanks for the comments and the information.
Bugeye - It is indeed South Carolina and not South California. The error is regretted and corrected.
Bugeye - It is indeed South Carolina and not South California. The error is regretted and corrected.
Ravi Kiran- Member
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