Primary/Structural Branch orientation for (secondary and tertiary) Foliage Pad Density

[Deleted member 47471]

Often there is online content (or found in books) suggesting to remove vertically growing foliage on top of a branch. I suppose staggering lateral branches and then wiring the secondaries and tertiaries to rest on top of the primary to create the illusion of pad density (foliage pads resting on top and in the middle of the branch) is possible, but top growth is useful to make a full-bodied pad at a particular place along and on top of a primary branch:

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Not sure where you are getting this, or if you are floating a conceptual theory that seems to work on a sketch pad.

Typically upward and downward growth are removed because they give the impression of immature growth. They also create the appearance of swelling along the branch. I have been taught to use lateral tertiary branches to build height in pads.

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Not sure where you are getting this, or if you are floating a conceptual theory that seems to work on a sketch pad.

Typically upward and downward growth are removed because they give the impression of immature growth. They also create the appearance of swelling along the branch. I have been taught to use lateral tertiary branches to build height in pads.

Observing the concept by seeing trees and branches online/videos/exhibitions etc that have branches growing on top of a branch, angled down and creating more density. Various Juniper, Spruce, Pine in Bonsai Mirai, Kokufu, Trophy etc.

What I’ve seen is that either swelling is not problematic or branches are staggered so that the ones on top are not emerging at the same junction as laterals. This concept was not a product of the imagination. The concept exists and is found on bonsai trees I’m seeing.