Bjorn Bjorholm Speaks Out On Hedge Pruning

[BobbyLane]

... which goes to show that a "bonsai" is not the "doppelganger" of a real tree.

Here for instance, the lower branches of the tree in nature bend downward, there are many old trees I can see when I drive to work that have a similar silhouette, but on a bonsai, this would look too much, the branches would touch the ground/soil : so the structure of the tree is adapted to give "the impression of..." And it's the same for the top.

I'm neither a supporter or a proponent of the "hedge pruning" method. If I had to vote, I'd say 51% for WP, and 52% for BB - I'm a fan of both : what matters is the result one gets in the end.

Different places, different methods. Different appreciation of a "finished" bonsai (a concept, is there such a thing as a "finished bonsai" ?... )

And yes, Walter is often very blunt and definitive in his opinions, but I'm far from being the best one to criticize his way to express his opinions.



But I find some comments very disrespectful, while Bjorn argues in a very civilized way. I feel that somehow it's also a lack of respect for Bjorn because for him, I think it's not an "us against them" rhethorics, it's just a different, well-argumented opinion.

no, the plan isnt to copy every single feature. its to take the bits that are most desirable and strive to create some feeling of a tree in nature. for me thats what its about.
naturalistic isnt about creating a replica of a wild tree, its more about creating trees that look like they grew that way naturally. thats what the hedge method is geared towards.
i think on a deciduous bonsai its a bit tricky for low branches bending downward to look convincing, for me it looks better if they start from the trunk rising and then dipping by way of an internode so you get that sharp change of direction, just bending them down in an ark with wire doesnt always come off unless there's a theme or the branches have built up great girth and are the heaviest branches on the tree.

 

[M. Frary]

No, is he a pretty boy?

Now you have.
I put one in from when I used to have hair.
One thing for sure.
I sure am one pretty man!

 

[Woocash]

View attachment 272902View attachment 272903View attachment 272904
Now you have.
I put one in from when I used to have hair.
One thing for sure.
I sure am one pretty man!

They do say beauty is in the eye of the beer holder!

 

[Anthony]

over 300 efforts - practice, practice, practice - makes perfect

 

[leatherback]

Now you have.

Please tell me that is your dog? Very nice!

 

[thumblessprimate1]

View attachment 272902View attachment 272903View attachment 272904
Now you have.
I put one in from when I used to have hair.
One thing for sure.
I sure am one pretty man!

Big dog!

 

[M. Frary]

Please tell me that is your dog? Very nice!

That's Rupert.
My unconventional bonsai.
He has a progression thread on this forum.

 

[M. Frary]

They do say beauty is in the eye of the beer holder!

That's what she said!

 

[cmeg1]

Hint...he doesn't like it and claims it gives sub-par results.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bjorn Bjorholm on Hedge Pruning

Cool podcast...The Bonsai Network.Its on Apple TV.Thanks for sharing!
Great to listen to.I have some catching up to do.

 

[sorce]

I prefer the one on the left, because that's how our old trees look here. You just don't have the growth patterns of perfection on the trees here

This ain't old, but it's branch pattern is very what I mean.

Far from as perfect as that Japanese specimen.

We don't have "the ideal conditions".

Sorce

 

[Adair M]

View attachment 275168

This ain't old, but it's branch pattern is very what I mean.

Far from as perfect as that Japanese specimen.

We don't have "the ideal conditions".

Sorce

So you like the city trees that have been “topped”, and the branches cut back hard with a chain saw. Then new sprouts grow out.

Gotcha...

 

[coh]

So you like the city trees that have been “topped”, and the branches cut back hard with a chain saw. Then new sprouts grow out.

Gotcha...

That tree has a certain charm to it, don't you think?

I'm going to aim for something like this. Look for it in the National Exhibition in a few years!

 

[sorce]

So you like the city trees that have been “topped”, and the branches cut back hard with a chain saw. Then new sprouts grow out.

Gotcha...

No.
Even our old trees don't make that perfect growth.

It's just not representative of what's real.

Never a perfect pattern.

Sorce

 

[sorce]

That tree has a certain charm to it, don't you think?

I'm going to aim for something like this. Look for it in the National Exhibition in a few years!

View attachment 275170

You are very observant.

Sorce

 

[Adair M]

No.
Even our old trees don't make that perfect growth.View attachment 275169

It's just not representative of what's real.

Never a perfect pattern.

Sorce

Well, then you fall into the “Naturalistic School” of bonsai.

As opposed to the Classical Japanese School which is to try to create an idealized tree.

It’s “what is” vs “what could be”.

Here’s the thing: with the “Naturalistic” styles, faults are more tolerated. In the Japanese styles, perfection is the goal, therefore faults are minimized to the extent possible.

It requires far more attention to detail to achieve a quality Japanese style tree.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Well, then you fall into the “Naturalistic School” of bonsai.

As opposed to the Classical Japanese School which is to try to create an idealized tree.

It’s “what is” vs “what could be”.

Here’s the thing: with the “Naturalistic” styles, faults are more tolerated. In the Japanese styles, perfection is the goal, therefore faults are minimized to the extent possible.

It requires far more attention to detail to achieve a quality Japanese style tree.

I appreciate the Japanese style. The talent that goes into it. Though they remind me of a well manicured lady with stiff hair.

I think it has to do with living rural...vacations doing hiking trails. I prefer trees like @grouper52 has. They seem to breathe survivalist of the best against the wild. I can't say I know what methods he uses. I can say... I can appreciate both. Love Walter Pall's trees and can admire them. He mentions taking time later which Bjorn even talks about needs done. I don't think then Mr. Pall's method is wrong. But ones don't understand his entire process. He's mentioned it in detail and sounds like what Bjorn even agreed to for proper finish. Is going back in later to deal with things. Mr Pall has mentioned he does that too. So...I think it's ones on the wall like a fly who don't understand.

 

[coh]

I appreciate the Japanese style. The talent that goes into it. Though they remind me of a well manicured lady with stiff hair.

I think it has to do with living rural...vacations doing hiking trails. I prefer trees like @grouper52 has. They seem to breathe survivalist of the best against the wild. I can't say I know what methods he uses. I can say... I can appreciate both. Love Walter Pall's trees and can admire them. He mentions taking time later which Bjorn even talks about needs done. I don't think then Mr. Pall's method is wrong. But ones don't understand his entire process. He's mentioned it in detail and sounds like what Bjorn even agreed to for proper finish. Is going back in later to deal with things. Mr Pall has mentioned he does that too. So...I think it's ones on the wall like a fly who don't understand.

I've read that second paragraph 3 times now and I still don't really know what you're trying to say. Can someone translate? LOL.

 

[Woocash]

I've read that second paragraph 3 times now and I still don't really know what you're trying to say. Can someone translate? LOL.

Honest! I’m not as think as you drunk I am....

 

[Cadillactaste]

I've read that second paragraph 3 times now and I still don't really know what you're trying to say. Can someone translate? LOL.

I did take night time medicine. Sorry. Maybe tomorrow I will try to see if I know what I was trying to say. But I think if you listen to Bjorn he mentions one going in later to do fine tuning so to speak. Forget his words. Walter Pall has mentioned doing just that. So how is that wrong? It's ones who misunderstand what Walter Pall goes back to do...loses a step in the final image. There...

But speaking of styles...I personally prefer ones that resembles what I see while hiking. But in the same sense...admire the talent and quality of purist Japanese styled trees.

 

[MichaelS]

Ah, you eye is getting educated! And out
Where all the ramification is, if you look carefully, there are a lot of twigs growing back inwards, towards the trunk. Trees don’t typically do this. They tend to head out, away from the trunk, towards the light.

That's generally true but not always. Sometimes if there is enough open space and light penetration some small branches will grow inwards. (but large ones in the long term).