Privet Styling

[Balbs]

I’ve had this privet for a few years. I moved it from a nursery can to this pot this spring, probably prematurely. It didn’t skip a beat though. I know it needs some big branches removed and I was hoping some of you would weigh in. I did make the one virt which could be an option though it’s a bit drastic. What do you all think?

 

[Shibui]

What's drastic about that virt design? I think it would be good use of this tree. You might consider leaving some stubs of dead wood when removing those larger branches. Large wounds can take a few tears to heal up so jin and shari can make the scars look intentional. I would expect to see a number of new shoots pop after removing those large branches. Some of them may be of some use in the design, particularly if there's one grows at the back. Not much 3D depth in the virt as it is.

Lots of other possibilities but none really jump out. In cases like that I just pick one option and start working toward that result.

Privet are very tough. Almost unkillable down here so don't be frightened to go hard.

 

[Balbs]

go hard

Thanks @Shibui. The reason it feels drastic is that I’m new. Haha. Haven’t made a ton of deep cuts like that. Anyway, thanks for the direction.

 

[sorce]

What's drastic

Amen, it is a very real possibility.

You are even using branches that exist, not just wish virting.
Which makes it very possible.

Now....

Both you Blue letters go get a damn Avatar picture so I ain't gotta confuse your....BS!

Sorce

 

[HorseloverFat]

I like that Virt... doesn’t look too drastic to me, either!

Makes you wish you could repurpose some of those branches as “Jins”...

Even without the theoretically impractical “Jins”, I like the direction you are considering. I think the taper, as soon as you prune the “top”... will be PERFECT for “moving forward”, and the trunk will begin aging together, beautifully!

 

[Balbs]

I appreciate all of the positivity around that virt! Feels like a job for tomorrow morning. I’ll update when it’s done. Thanks, all!

 

[Balbs]

Avatar

Better!

 

[Pitoon]

I like it, I think it's very doable.

 

[Balbs]

Okay, it’s done. I feel pretty good about where I landed. There was a back branch that wasn’t really evident in the images above. I swung it out to the left side and could use it to balance some of the right-side-weight in the virt. Trimmed back some of the leggy growth. It’s not exactly the virt but I’m confident I can get there over time.

 

[Shibui]

Great start. Bonsai does take time so it often appears to be a step or 2 backwards to go forward.

'Balance' is not always desirable in bonsai. Asymmetrical design can look really great too and I think this is such a case. I would put that back branch to fill the back but flowing more toward the right with the rest of the tree. back branches are usually shorter than side branches so eventually you should consider cutting that one shorter and growing from one or more side shoots but for now just wait and see how the tree responds to the reduction you have just done.

 

[Balbs]

Thanks @Shibui!

 

[Tieball]

Just a different, perhaps more compacting, opinion of where I’d start. And I’d grow out a strong canopy formation from new buds. I imagined the trunk taking on a more aggressively strong appearance this way. Just my thoughts.

 

[Balbs]

Just a different, perhaps more compacting, opinion of where I’d start. And I’d grow out a strong canopy formation from new buds. I imagined the trunk taking on a more aggressively strong appearance this way. Just my thoughts.
View attachment 373692

Interesting. Where do you envision the future canopy?

 

[Tieball]

My tendency is to cut back more now and work on regrowth that’s more compact. And while growing I’d keep the canopy more compacted toward the trunk. When I viewed your original cutback that you created I felt that it may not compact the tree enough and I'd end up with a canopy out quite a ways from the trunk. It’s all just my opinion though. I think the trunk and the current three primary branch positions offer an excellent start on something new and different.

 

[Tieball]

And, however, I like to work on optional thoughts too. Rather than pulling that left branch down.....I’d push it up to bridge and begin building a wide canopy. In my mind it begins to look more 3D with that left branch back up and more to the back.

 

[Tieball]

As I exiting the post and landed on the Bonsainut Home this ad at the top called to my attention. Similar characteristics.....but think leaves instead of flowers. I like the way the lower left leaf clump on leaves could form...the clump of canopy on your tree and offer a eye catching view. It creates an interesting excitement of balance....that’s off balance. Just thinking out loud.

 

[Balbs]

Just thinking out loud.

You’ve definitely given me a lot to digest so I appreciate it. I think if I move the back/left branch up and build the canopy back toward the left, I sort of end up where I started, albeit with a better branch structure. My thought with the virt was to make the tree really look like it was reaching right for the sun, showing off the line, and understating the foliage. At least, that’s where my head was. But like I said, I like your ideas too.

 

[Tieball]

You’ve definitely given me a lot to digest so I appreciate it. I think if I move the back/left branch up and build the canopy back toward the left, I sort of end up where I started, albeit with a better branch structure. My thought with the virt was to make the tree really look like it was reaching right for the sun, showing off the line, and understating the foliage. At least, that’s where my head was. But like I said, I like your ideas too.

I always think that fun of what we do is in the observation of different solutions. Each has merits. Each a creative option. Each stretches the imagination. And there are probably other ideas as well. After that, the selection of a direction, some things become mechanical so to speak.

 

[Balbs]

stretches

For sure. I appreciate your explanation and presentation of the various options. It definitely stretched the way I’m thinking about the possibilities for the tree.

 

[Shibui]

There is rarely just one option for style with any tree. The problem is in making a decision about which to pursue.
There are so many informal upright, 'balanced' bonsai that I'd much rather pursue a more dynamic design if one is possible.
The leaning tree or even maybe even windswept style looks great for this one.