My first time posting, new member

[Scott B]

Hello all!

I’ve been dabbling in bonsai for the past two and a half years or so, and having read many posts and learned lots from this website, I figured I should make an account!

I’ve attached pictures of my three ‘best’ (the only photo-worthy ones I have) trees, and any feedback on development and styling are very welcome. I also have several prebonsai and many seedlings, though the seedlings I obviously do not expect to be anything worthwhile for a loooong time!

Finally, I was wondering what books you more experienced people would recommend to further develop my techniques and knowledge. Thanks in advance!

*the maple in the attached pic further below has of course lost its leaves during the winter here in Ireland.

 

[Warpig]

Ireland, nice! You want want to add it to your profile to save some time later. Not bad trees at all. As for books one that will get plenty of replys would be Principles of Bonsai Design, https://bonsai.shopsettings.com/Principles-of-Bonsai-Design-p133915314

Welcome to the crazy.

 

[Scott B]

Thanks a mil! Have added it to the profile anyhow. I’ll have a look into that book. Also if I were to go looking for advice on developing any of these trees, would I be best to go into the forum for that specific species?

 

[Warpig]

Yea most like to start a topic for each tree and put them in the right section on the forum. Not only is it a good way to get advise on that tree but it will also allow you to keep the trees journey in one place. So in 5-10 years as the tree gets more and more developed one can follow the process from where it was started.

 

[Scott B]

Perfect, sounds good! Looking forward talking and learning from the community.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I like your first tree here, especially the bottom half. What are your plans going forward? I feel the top of the tree needs to be worked and pad development begun on lower branches.

Welcome.

 

[brentwood]

What kind of pine is your first tree? Very interesting... Great trio of trees for a beginner!

Brent

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

We keep Irish Clocks for drinking times round here.

Sorce

 

[Scott B]

Thanks, and I’m still trying to decide what direction I want to take it, there’s a possibility of lopping off the top except the first two branches and turning it into a cascade. However a few people have also recommended keeping the length and shaping it into a bunjin style. As well as those options I also was given solid advice to wire the second branch up as a new leader and go from there, so to summarise i’ve no idea yet! Any thoughts yourself?

 

[Scott B]

What kind of pine is your first tree? Very interesting... Great trio of trees for a beginner!

Brent

It’s a Japanese White Pine I believe, I may have thrown myself in at the deep end by buying it as a beginner though hahaha. It’s my first conifer so I’ve been reading a lot into jwp care, it’s stayed healthy so far!
And thank you, I’m proud of them!

 

[Scott B]

Welcome to Crazy!

We keep Irish Clocks for drinking times round here.

Sorce

Hahahaha thank you!

 

[sorce]

Thank YOU for relinquishing so many good Irishman to the states to set a proper standard for us here!

The toughest dude I know is an Irish Women!

Good to have you here, there's not many of ya!

Sorce

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

That first tree, is it a Japanese white pine?

I think your tree is in the first 2 or 3 branches, everything above them, I would discard. But don't do it all in a single cut. Take the top down, maybe 1/3rd at a time, once a year. I also would not attempt a cascade. Go for an informal upright. JWP are difficult to get to cascade. Your base is not really ideal to support a cascade.

Most of your foliage on all your branches is too far from the trunk. If you want to keep this tree taller, you will need to learn single point grafting, and graft new branches using upper growths as scion donor to add branches down lower in the tree.

I like the color of the foliage, no mater what you end up doing with it, it is a nice cultivar of JWP.

 

[Scott B]

That first tree, is it a Japanese white pine?

I think your tree is in the first 2 or 3 branches, everything above them, I would discard. But don't do it all in a single cut. Take the top down, maybe 1/3rd at a time, once a year. I also would not attempt a cascade. Go for an informal upright. JWP are difficult to get to cascade. Your base is not really ideal to support a cascade.

Most of your foliage on all your branches is too far from the trunk. If you want to keep this tree taller, you will need to learn single point grafting, and graft new branches using upper growths as scion donor to add branches down lower in the tree.

I like the color of the foliage, no mater what you end up doing with it, it is a nice cultivar of JWP.

I’m quite sure that it is, but is there any way to tell for sure?
Thanks for the advice, if I were to reduce the tree down over the seasons i’d probably take the first branch on the right and wire it up into an informal upright shape, maybe continuing with the curvature of the trunk. Either that or use the branch behind the trunk just below that first right branch. If I do this, I suppose i’ll need to try to backbud on the remaining branches to bring the foliage in. If any of that sounds like a bad idea do let me know!

 

[jaco94]

Hello ,
If it was mine , I think I will probably do two things.
Reduce his height ( remove about a third at the end )
Give more movement to the branches ( avoid straight and monotonous lines ) .

I had a white pine that looked a little your. unfortunately i lost it because i have probably done too much work closer.

It is very important no to be pressed with this variety .

Maybe for an idea here is the tree