Is this tree placement bad?

[HENDO]

Hi All,

Yesterday I made my second bald cypress forest and had it all planned out nice, but after wiring I'm not 100% sure about the tree placement.

The primary/secondary up front almost aligned, and then 3 smaller tress in the back which at an off-side angle are almost all aligned as well.

Just looking to get some feedback, because I could potentially rearrange a couple. I think that maybe the way my frame/wiring worked out it kind of forced these aligned positions.

Thanks in advance and looking forward to the criticism & feedback!

***EDIT: I forgot to mention the spacing appears to be too even as well. I've read up on some placement principals (visual/depth perspective, spacing etc.) so mostly just looking to hear your opinions and whether or not this is bad enough that it needs to be torn up and redone, if so how, thanks!***

 

[Colorado]

Yes, this placement is fairly uninteresting if you ask me.

Without a complete redo, I think this minor tweak would introduce more negative space and a better sense of randomness:



Nice forest start!

 

[rockm]

I think part of your issue is the trees are spaced too far apart. They should be half again (or more) closer together. That closer spacing would make the composition more dynamic, as the trunks would relate more to each other, instead of having such even, boring empty space between them. The closer grouping would allow the empty space around them to define the trees as a group, instead of individual trees.

 

[penumbra]

Its not terrible but I agree with Colorado on moving the one plant.

 

[Atom#28]

Something about the near-center placement of the largest tree makes me feel uneasy. For a slab that large, I'd like to see 9+ trees, with a deeper dive into asymmetry with the overall silhouette; maybe consider shifting the visual weight/density a little further to the viewer's right.

 

[Acer palNATEum]

I agree with others about placement and randomness. It is a bit milquetoast right now as placed. Not terrible but your eye isn't really drawn to it either.

Would like to add though that in a few years you can always add more small seedlings to the composition. This will give more variation in size and allow you to edit the uniformity of spacing in the composition. In short, something like this:

 

[Pitoon]

Maybe you could add another 10 trees to fill up the empty space?

 

[William N. Valavanis]

Here is another idea. Just a quick virtual. Note the difference between the lowest tree on the left and right. The line should not be the same. In this case, the lowest branching should be on the right side.
More trees are needed to balance the forest with the container.

 

[n8]

I think everything needs to be moved to the right, with the trees closer together. The spacing isn't very dynamic and could look more "random." I think another two trees would help, too.

 

[Atom#28]

Here is another idea. Just a quick virtual. Note the difference between the lowest tree on the left and right. The line should not be the same. In this case, the lowest branching should be on the right side.
More trees are needed to balance the forest with the container.


View attachment 274121

YES

 

[Bolero]

Just a thought.… more trees placed in amongst what you already have (leave what you have done alone, looks great) also a few more trees to the right side and in front...Get creative with your ground cover, maybe some Ying Rock or similar, A few tree stumps, maybe a fallen tree in amongst the existing ones....Experiment..., give us something to look at and be Amazed...imagine yourself in the middle of this forest....Go out to a real forest and investigate reality...you are doing nicely for a starting....

 

[Bolero]

Hendo… your Bald Cypress Forest lends itself to Chinese Bonsai as opposed to Japanese Bonsai... so FWIW take it to that Presentation, maybe a Chinese Penjing or Bonsai Landscape..... use of a Tray/Slab, Moss and Ample Sizing is all in your favor so use it or expand on it, maybe a small water feature on the left side...
You have already accomplished a very nice 1/2 or 1/3 of a Landscape so go for it.....

 

[BackyardBonsai]

Problem is it is not easy to just dig a hole an plant the tree. I would re-do it it hasn't been planted that long.... or just wait until the next suitable time and redo it... now that you know how to properly place to make them visually appealing.
Just found out that you are in Houston, you can redo it now or just wait a couple months.

 

[HENDO]

Thanks everybody for the great replies! I actually have another cypress group planting that needed to be redone so I am now taking a combination of trees from both to redo on a slab. Excellent advice and I will use it to make a much more dramatic arrangement here - thanks again and update photos to come!

 

[HENDO]

Hey All,

I'm just about ready to pot the new group was hoping to get some feedback first. I took some pictures and it's almost looking better from the back with the opposite perspective (mounding up towards the back with the primary tree back there).

Any feedback before I start would be much appreciated!

Thanks

 

[HENDO]

Another option shown here. Note that I took the advice to put more trees and am now working with 7 instead of the original 5. I actually have 2 more medium and 2 more small size but not sure if it would crowd it?

Thanks

 

[HENDO]

Here with 2 more med/small trees added.

Thanks

 

[WNC Bonsai]

In additon to grouping them closer together make sure to offset the whole group in the pot—not centered. With BC you can easily “adjust” the roots to allow a tighter fit than what may seem possible with the roots balled like they are before planting.

 

[HENDO]

In additon to grouping them closer together make sure to offset the whole group in the pot—not centered. With BC you can easily “adjust” the roots to allow a tighter fit than what may seem possible with the roots balled like they are before planting.

Hey Cofga, kind of like this?

Thanks

 

[William N. Valavanis]

Here is my idea and thouhts:

Looks like you are trying to fill the container. Negative space is important.
Both sections look asymmetrical balanced. Try more trees on right side because the largest trunks are there.
Move left group towards the front leaving more space on left than right.

Just my thoughts today and very quick virtual....