4 Virtuals of a Very Old Ponderosa

I was recently trying to sell off a large portion of my collection, because I was having to move to an apartment with no balcony. Last minute, I found a place with a large balcony that will allow me to keep my trees! This has brought me back to considering long-term design ideas. This tree is one of my favorites, however, due to the 160 degree turn and absolute immovability of the trunk at any point, has posed a significant challenge design wise. Below are a few photos and a few ideas of virtuals (I'm not really sold on any one though).

Any thoughts on which side makes the best front and design would be tremendously appreciated.

I like last one.

Mick

P.S. nice virts btw

Out of the four, I agree with Mick on the last one, but I feel you have many more options than those you have presented. How about a semi cascade of sorts?

Cheers
Brent

First one for me.

First one for me too, although if I was being very daring I'd consider your third option but chop it at the first bend and go for a Shohin using that back branch we can see.

Good luck with your house move.

Here's what I was thinking...

mb,just curious, why do you think the upper third of the main trunk would be unmovable? Much larger diameter on Ponderosa is bendable if there is no deadwood in it.

third one ..

the branches echo the 'this way-that way' aspect of the trunk nicely in that third design, like the tree couldnt make up its mind, I also like the central balance the third offers, but I'm not a big cascade fan so thats just my bias.

GaryWood wrote:mb,just curious, why do you think the upper third of the main trunk would be unmovable? Much larger diameter on Ponderosa is bendable if there is no deadwood in it.

GaryWood, the upper third could definitely take some bending, but it is all surprisingly stiff given its size. For example, there is no way it could be brought to a full 180 degree turn (without hollowing out a portion perhaps).

The various suggestions for possible designs seem to echo my own confusion with the tree! I had considered the shohin idea Fiona suggested, but was worried that (a) given the size of ponderosa foliage, it wouldn't look right and (b) you would still need to keep a sizable portion of the trunk to get that first branch. I imagine it would look something like this....