Something seems wrong

[Tbrshou]

Looking at this hornbeam that I collected, at first I was so excited about the possible leaders especially 1 and 2. Now that I've had time to look at it more it feels like they are on the wrong side of the tree. Am I looking at this wrong? Shouldn't the leader flow more to the right, moving in sync with the other trunk? If I'm wrong can someone give me sum advice? Btw this may seem like a simple question to alot of u but I've only been at this for a year.

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

That’s why God created wire

 

[Tbrshou]

That’s why God created wire

But wouldn't that look kinda weird just a sharp bend to the right

 

[sorce]

Are there no branches between there and the bottom?

Sorce

 

[Forsoothe!]

The short answer is No. I made two additional photos, one rotated 15° left and one 15° right, put the original inbetween and flopped back and forth to see if changing the lean made a difference. It did, but the original looks best. Normally, you make the smaller trunk match the movement of the larger trunk in a little brother fashion. In this case you might consider making the larger mimic the smaller, as best you can because the larger would look better with more movement. You might be able to do that beginning at this existing branch...

...To this...

...At the same time growing little brother bigger and attempting to match what happens with big bro. Even if the major lower portion of big doesn't match until you get to the upper, new part, you can still match the two higher up and grow more trunk-covering foliage hiding parts of the lower, straight trunk and expose more of the upper portions that you do want to feature. Or, not.

 

[Tbrshou]

Nice editing skills. The branch you proposed using is actually in the back of the tree

 

[StarGazer]

How does the tree look from the back?
Sometimes a new front, different than the one you originally had in mind, emerges as you develop the tree.

 

[Tbrshou]

How does the tree look from the back?
Sometimes a new front, different than the one you originally had in mind, emerges as you develop the tree.

I cant remember to describe it off the top of my head right now. I'm sure I've tried to consider it but tomorrow I'm definitely gonna stare at it in depth. Worst case scenario ill just create slight movements that end with the leader slightly over the little brother branch. Hopefully it won't end up being such a sharp bend. I still have grafting as a option I think. Thank you all for your help

 

[leatherback]

How big a tree are you planning on creating? From what you have here, I would consider clipping off all branches and build the canopy from new sprouts.

 

[Shibui]

A trunk can go left before moving right. It can go backwards too as long as the apex ends up toward the front.
The higher leader has a right side shoot quite low. You could prune to that and use it to develop the new apex.
Where you can put the bends and how much bend depends on the ultimate height of the tree.
You will also find that bends tend to soften as the tree grows and thickens. The tree will add more growth on the inside of bends to straighten out curves.

 

[BobbyLane]

to me it doesnt matter much as long as you form one crown from both trunks,
on these i had the apex's going up n out

 

[PA_Penjing]

I was going to say exactly what forsoothe said. By using that branch your tree will be nearly identical to your reference photo. Making that thin branch the new leader will make it thicken up fast. And I think Bobby lane is correct in that you can use artistic licensing to ignore the “matching trunks rule”, but in this case there is a very easy solution, it’s not like the current leader has any movement or interest anyway. OR option 2, keep the leader you already have and chop at the very first branch on the right and wire that upward a couple degrees to match the daughter trunks angle

 

[PA_Penjing]

Also remember that sharp bends get smoothed out to some degree by adding thickness to the branch/trunk. For better or worse

 

[penumbra]

Study it for awhile and it will come to you on your own. This tree screams with possibilities.

 

[BobbyLane]

tbf one look on google will give you tons of ideas and inspiration

twin trunk bonsai - Google Search

www.google.com

have a look and see what others are doing with similar material. ^^^

 

[Tbrshou]

I love this forum!!! I went from being terribly confused to have multiple opinions to look at and decided on thank you all so much!!!

 

[BobbyLane]

sometimes it just comes down to the material in front of you, its a bonus if you can create some sort of flow and harmony in the trunks, if they go up n out you still dont went them to appear to be getting away from each other and if they grow inwardly you dont want them competing...
on this twin trunk Hackberry the trunks go up, out, in and out again...


there is a bit about twin trunks in this article, ive found it useful over the years

Styling: The Basic Forms of Bonsai – Bonsai4Me

bonsai4me.com