Boxwood Design Guide. 1 trunk or 2

[fucious70]

My first boxwood. I saw it sitting by itself and was totally drawn to it. I pruned off the top but puzzled on which direction I should take, 1 trunk or 2.

For 2 trunk, I plan on cutting at the red line. Have the larger branches all lean towards the right. That vision makes me feel like a married couple holding each other. I plan to keep the bottom branch to the right to help thicken the trunk.

For 1 trunk, cut at the yellow line. This will allow for a nice taper. The base is not as thick as I would like it to be. It can't be seen, but I would have a pretty nice S curve

I'm torn between then two. Thoughts? Any other design ideas?

 

[sorce]

Seems like a good idea....

But the other 2 on the left fork are the same size.....so one of those should go.

What then?

More pics!

Sorce

 

[0soyoung]

I saw it sitting by itself and was totally drawn to it.

What, exactly, drew you to it?
Presumably, this would the the design focus and all you need to decide is how to "frame it" with the rest of the tree or the foliage, in particular.
So, again, what drew you to this tree? Why did you buy it?

 

[fucious70]

What, exactly, drew you to it?
Presumably, this would the the design focus and all you need to decide is how to "frame it" with the rest of the tree or the foliage, in particular.
So, again, what drew you to this tree? Why did you buy it?

The thickness and double trunk. When I brought it home I noticed the other potential after cleaning it up.
That’s a great question. Go with why I fell for it.

 

[fucious70]

i see the fork and agree. I’ll make the chop and show the different angles.

 

[HorseloverFat]

i see the fork and agree. I’ll make the chop and show the different angles.

I’m interested. Looking forward to seeing “what happens”

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

@0soyoung asked the right question. If the twin trunk interaction drew you in, you might want to try to preserve those elements.
However, it looks like the split occurs somewhat above the soil line. Have you dug down a little to see how much trunk is under the soil? Have you considered other fronts?

 

[BrianBay9]

The thing that bothers me a bit is that both trunks are the same size. Not much chance of changing that, so I'd vote for a single trunk.

 

[HorseloverFat]

The thing that bothers me a bit is that both trunks are the same size. Not much chance of changing that, so I'd vote for a single trunk.

I whole-heartedly agree.. while there ARE options with keeping them both,I personally believe there is much more potential waiting to be “released” if you decide to traverse the single trunk route. That being said, I truly believe that you should go with the option that you feel will be the best for the tree and yourself according to the design that you see “within”.

 

[JudyB]

I think you should see if you can gently lift the tree from the nursery pot, and move away the top soil to find the actual base of the tree, and if there is a good nebari there or even further down. Then before you put the tree back into a pot, take 8 pictures from straight on to the tree, with a plain background. These pictures will likely show you what the best aspects the tree has. Post them here too! Just remember if you're unsure about a big styling choice, it's sometimes best to study the tree and think about it before cutting something drastically. (Can't glue it back on...)

 

[0soyoung]

Continuing @JudyB's point

Just remember if you're unsure about a big styling choice, it's sometimes best to study the tree and think about it before cutting something drastically. (Can't glue it back on...)

I've noted that trunks/low-branches that look like a slingshot, don't look like a slingshot if one side is very short or at least much shorter than the other. But to make this happen, one needs a shoot or to develop one at the chop. Developing a shoot means hard pruning, waiting for buds to pop and grow into shoots, then cutting/chopping to that shoot you want at the top of the short trunk. Unfortunately, the desired shoot doesn't always show up. Then maybe one lops off the entire second branch. On the other hand, if the branch (maybe) already exists ...

Also, a slingshot laying on its side or definitely slanting tends to not appear to be a slingshot, just as a bar branch tends to not appear to be a bar branch if their common line is not horizontal. IOW, simply tilting the plant may help. Adjusting the planting angle, though, sometimes isn't possible because the nebari is too strong to accommodate it.


Then, again, maybe this explains why my trees are lacking.

 

[fucious70]

@JudyB @Brian Van Fleet Here are the pictures in different angles. I went ahead and chopped more. It is pretty heavy, easily above 100 pounds.

Appreciate the guidance and feedback. I'll exercise a little more patience before I start chopping again.

 

[sorce]

This shows that the first photo was the worst angle to ponder.

I like the bottom half of 8640.

Sorce

 

[HorseloverFat]

Yes, these later pictures/angles explain the tree’s personality better... they also unlock, visually, a myriad of new possibilities. (At least in my opinion). A lot more to “chew on”.

 

[JudyB]

I think image 2, 3,4 or 7 is your best way to go on first glance. I like it better as a single trunk I think for what you have to work with, as the taper will show better. But a double is viable with some sides of this tree. Nice find.

 

[River's Edge]

@JudyB @Brian Van Fleet Here are the pictures in different angles. I went ahead and chopped more. It is pretty heavy, easily above 100 pounds.

Appreciate the guidance and feedback. I'll exercise a little more patience before I start chopping again.

My choice would be picture #8642, retain right hand side, single trunk option, nebari lends itself to a slant and the right slant shows nice movement and crown towards the viewer.

 

[fucious70]

This is what I'm leaning towards now.

 

[sorce]

This is what I'm leaning towards now.

It seems you're not allowing for a design possibility with some branches that don't yet exist.

I think these are/were/are some fabulous trunks, but utilizing only what already exists won't get them to their potential as bonsai.

Watch em for a while.

Sorce

 

[River's Edge]

This is what I'm leaning towards now.

And as the tree develops with back budding, many other opportunities will appear for a more complex design.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Yes!

a design possibility with some branches that don't yet exist.

...and those design possibilities often end up monumental in progressional movement.

I often consider ONLY “theoretical/hypothetical branches” hahaha! (Depending on the specimen, of course)