Shimpaku from Evergreen Gardenworks

[Brian Van Fleet]

Thanks Dorothy, that is a nice example and definitely a course that would use more of the tree.

 

[cascade]

Thanks Dorothy, that is a nice example and definitely a course that would use more of the tree.

Brian, for some Louis Vila's tree seems a bit ornated, enhanced by the presentation in my view. However, the concept of a two trunker, visually differentiated by shari and trunk reduction and the half moon container to better cover the roots makes this an excellent possibility.
I cannot see where the trunk line is of your right tree ( looking at it). In Vila's tree, this one right trunk meanders to side and then comes back towards the second lower tree.

Best,
Dorothy

 

[october]

Hi Brian, I really like where you are going with this tree. Also, Dorothy's image is nice as well. I don't think you can go wrong with either image.

Rob

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Quick update on this one. Did some carving and moved a few primary branches into position last fall and this spring. Next year, the plan is to repot into the new angle shown, and do a little more detailed wiring.

Plans changed on the spiral Shari because a live vein would have been girdled to an important area, but I'm not crazy about the big Shari on the trunk...yet.

The live vein that wraps around the left Jin is only supporting what is now a sacrifice branch. The plan is to approach graft a shoot low and out of the way to keep the vein alive.

 

[Dav4]

This will be a very powerful tree when your design is fully implemented. What are your plans with the large jin? I'm thinking reducing it by a fair amount would accentuate the thickness and movement in that already awesome base.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Definitely will end up shorter, but probably won't address that until the design is closer to finished. Pretty hard to add it back...

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Brent loaded up some very nice "new" shimpakus at http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/specimen.htm, including this one, the sister to the tree in this thread. It would be cool to see a few more of them pop up here on the Nut...

 

[M. Frary]

Brent loaded up some very nice "new" shimpakus at http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/specimen.htm, including this one, the sister to the tree in this thread. It would be cool to see a few more of them pop up here on the Nut...
View attachment 122970

Heading to his website this very second. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[quietobserver]

Cool. That guy's a BEAST of a tree.

 

[barrosinc]

Brent loaded up some very nice "new" shimpakus at http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/specimen.htm, including this one, the sister to the tree in this thread. It would be cool to see a few more of them pop up here on the Nut...
View attachment 122970

How old would that tree be since a cutting?

 

[quietobserver]

How old would that tree be since a cutting?

"I purchased it as a 5 year old one gallon tree in 1982."

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

The last photos of this tree were posted here 2.5 years ago. I have to say I’m not proud of my efforts with this tree over the last 6 years or so. I can’t help but think someone else could have coaxed a better bonsai from the original material.

However, it is still very much alive and healthy. Here are 2 possible fronts. To help reach 500k posts, share your thoughts, critiques, ideas, virts. The thread graft failed, so the left live vein from the first image is no longer supporting any foliage, and therefore it won’t be part of the finished design. The first image presents a much wider base than the second, but I think the second image shows more interesting trunk movement. What say you?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I feel your pain. I think you are stuck in design limbo with this tree because you don't have branches in the right locations.

I would keep the first front and work on filling up the void space on the left. I will whip up a quick virtual...


That branch on the left you can bring down and then simply push the whole foliage mass left to balance the design. A back branch can be then used to fill in the void space in the middle behind the jins and you'll be well on your way.

This is by no means a final design - just a year one wiring and pruning that would change the direction of the tree. You would really want that left branch to bulk up.

 

[Dav4]

The first picture is definitely showing the front. I see a nice dropped branch in there once it's gained some heft, but it needs to be grown on for another few years I think. Pull those upper left branches down a bit, too. I'd love to see a graft take mid way on the second trunk segment....

 

[just.wing.it]

I like the first image as the front, at this point.
It's hard to see through that dense foliage, wow!
I do like @Bonsai Nut 's virt and idea also.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

I really like that dropped branch idea, it balances the jin and helps to fill the visual void. The first picture is definitely the front.

PS thank you so much for periodically updating us on your amazing trees! It's inspiring to see what you can do with time and a lot of elbow grease!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Playing with my virt a little, I would also consider going left with the planting angle...

 

[Dav4]

The first picture is definitely showing the front. I see a nice dropped branch in there once it's gained some heft, but it needs to be grown on for another few years I think. Pull those upper left branches down a bit, too. I'd love to see a graft take mid way on the second trunk segment....

... on the back side of the tree.

 

[Justis]

I’ve just recently bought a monster of Brent at evergreen I’ll post some picks tonight also has one with a bigger trunk on hold for me. Awesome material can’t beat 25-30 year grown to be bonsai. Hats off to Brent

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I’ve just recently bought a monster of Brent at evergreen I’ll post some picks tonight also has one with a bigger trunk on hold for me. Awesome material can’t beat 25-30 year grown to be bonsai. Hats off to Brent

Let’s see that puppy! Start a thread...