AusBonsai

G'day Dave,

Great Shari mate, such a shame to hide it.

33 is on the money for me, maybe a tiny bit more rotated clockwise.
At this angle, and with the shari showing, I dont mind all of the jins, they look great.
Not sure how this would impact on the foliage, but in a 2 dimensional pic I think this is a winner.

Cheers,
Leigh.

Hi Leigh
shot 33 is probably the only "no go", the entire top would be leaning heavily to the rear
cheers
Dave

hmmmm - thought that may be a problem!

the jins look great with the shari, is there any way you could bend the top around into place?

sorry for the lack of punctuation - my other hand is holding the 4 month old

cheers,
leigh

I like 33 too Dave. I understand your issue with the top leaning to the back, but to me it just looks its best from this angle. Might be worthwhile chopping and growing a new crown?

Ledanta wrote:sorry for the lack of punctuation - my other hand is holding the 4 month old

Now that's dedication Leigh!

leigh i like the way you are thinking not only does the deadwood and live veins interplay nicely but the weight distribution is right(imo). i also love the composite but dave i respect your experience and ideas but i cant agree on the long branch opposite the lean every time. for me there are reason's why this would happen not just for the sake of thinking the tree is balanced. in my eye and mind if that be the case then the apex needs to turn around and look in the same direction the long branch is pointing, for there is a force already drawing more foliage to that side. and therefor the foliage on the leaning side to be kept shorter and tighter. why is the tree leaning against the growth im stating? erosion could be one reason. visa versa if the apex is pointing in the same direction as the lean and the foliage on this side is lush and extending, how did a branch on the opposite side get so long make the tree more status quo? the foliage needs to be shorter. when this is done correctly you have a tree with dynamic movement. for me this is far more important than creating what some percieve as perfect balance.

so regardless of what front you choose please just give what im saying some open consideration. thanks for engaging again im enjoying the ideas on this tree.

Hi guys
thanks for everyone's contribution.
I feel that the tree will stay as is for a while, which is a definate improvement on the original posting.
I am not prepared to cut the top and start again Steven and the entire trunks top would be really difficult to bring forward and make it work.
The composite photo, I feel, will be the next step in the evolution of this tree and I do appreciate everyone's input.
cheers
Dave