Another Mugo Post

[Vance Wood]

I have hesitated to post this mostly because the end results may be viewed by some to be not as good as the before image. Sometimes; in the quest for better bonsai, it is necessary to break something down in order to make it better. Such is the case with this tree. Nice trunk but over the years the profile has become unbalanced and there is almost no negative space.

2001:

2006:

2007:

2012:

 

[jkd2572]

It does have more movement. I liked the fact that you are making it your tree design.

 

[JudyB]

This will be important to show how sometimes you must sacrifice current satisfaction to move the tree towards its ultimate greatness. A hard concept to come to terms with for most of us.

 

[Vance Wood]

Provided the tree makes it through the current cycle of abuse, sometimes near the end of next summer we should start seeing some sort of improvement as I am hoping to be able to tweak the branch placement and improve ramification. I am seriously considering the removal of the lower right branch, but this is something that can wait another year or two.

 

[0soyoung]

Provided the tree makes it through the current cycle of abuse, sometimes near the end of next summer we should start seeing some sort of improvement as I am hoping to be able to tweak the branch placement and improve ramification. I am seriously considering the removal of the lower right branch, but this is something that can wait another year or two.

I am hoping you might say something that will help me understand your esthetic aims here. For me the tree is in a very clumsy state that hangs me up in analysis-paralysis. While I think I understand and possibly share your feelings about the lower right branch, wouldn't its removal leave you with a very leggy trunk? As it is now, the apex seems too high and, for me, this compounds the issue with the lower right branch. On the other hand, I cannot envision quite how to make it better, so I hoping that you might indulge me and explain your vision from here.

BTW, yes, I am artistically challenged.

 

[Vance Wood]

I am hoping you might say something that will help me understand your esthetic aims here. For me the tree is in a very clumsy state that hangs me up in analysis-paralysis. While I think I understand and possibly share your feelings about the lower right branch, wouldn't its removal leave you with a very leggy trunk? As it is now, the apex seems too high and, for me, this compounds the issue with the lower right branch. On the other hand, I cannot envision quite how to make it better, so I hoping that you might indulge me and explain your vision from here.

BTW, yes, I am artistically challenged.

Allow some of the upper branches on the right to extend beyond where they are now, and as the tree recovers I plan to jack the top part of the tree over further to the right and wire the remaining branches down.

I told you many would not look at this as being an improvement----yet. However I have been asked to provide some sequence photos and that's what you have here.

1990:

1991:

1995:

 

[0soyoung]

Allow some of the upper branches on the right to extend beyond where they are now, and as the tree recovers I plan to jack the top part of the tree over further to the right and wire the remaining branches down.

I told you many would not look at this as being an improvement----yet. However I have been asked to provide some sequence photos and that's what you have here.

I didn't mean to be rude by forgetting to thank you for the sequences: Thank you for the sequences, Vance, and thank you indulging me with the further explanation.

 

[Vance Wood]

I didn't mean to be rude by forgetting to thank you for the sequences: Thank you for the sequences, Vance, and thank you indulging me with the further explanation.

No offense taken. I realized what I was getting into when I posted this thread. I'm just slightly surprised that the response has been what it has been----mostly a lack of interest.

 

[bwaynef]

I'm just slightly surprised that the response has been what it has been----mostly a lack of interest.

Count me among those who don't necessarily get where you're going. Its too late now, and I doubt input was/is desired, but I'd have kept the low left branch and gotten rid of the low right instead. Like I said though, its too late now.

I'm interested to see where you take this one.

 

[Vance Wood]

Count me among those who don't necessarily get where you're going. Its too late now, and I doubt input was/is desired, but I'd have kept the low left branch and gotten rid of the low right instead. Like I said though, its too late now.

I'm interested to see where you take this one.

I think at the moment the direction I am headed with this tree may in the end be something akin to what you envision. However; removing too many large branches at a time as I have mentioned previously can result in having portions of the trunk die as a result. As the tree was, it was drastically unbalanced and getting worse as the years progressed.

 

[Paradox]

I'm just slightly surprised that the response has been what it has been----mostly a lack of interest.

Vance, don't take silence as lack of interest. Many of us here do not yet have the experience to comment on this. I also have not read the forums since you posted this thread so I hadn't seen it until now.

Please keep posting your trees, even if its not a stellar piece. People like me can learn from them nonetheless.

 

[Vance Wood]

If things turn out the way I picture them in my mind I think there will be many saying: "I didn't see that coming". or You ought to be shot. Either way, we'll see come next summer.

 

[Vance Wood]

Vance, don't take silence as lack of interest. Many of us here do not yet have the experience to comment on this. I also have not read the forums since you posted this thread so I hadn't seen it until now.

Please keep posting your trees, even if its not a stellar piece. People like me can learn from them nonetheless.

Just for you then, I will. No joke, I take seriously your input.