AusBonsai

To me, the trunk is the best feature. Cutting it back to the first branch loses all the character, and the change from the thick trunk to the thin branch is very abrupt.

If you lose the first (right) branch, then all the foliage comes from the one spot, and nothing relates to anything else. Rock, trunk, green blob, all quite separate.

There may be another angle that would solve problems - Joel's solution is elegant.

Another possibility would be to wire the top left branch strongly down and out to the left, and make a compact apex out of the other branch from the top. The first (right) branch could possibly be strongly compressed onto itself - it's shape at the moment doesn't relate to the trunk.

It's certainly a delightful problem to have.

Gavin

I thing just tilt to the left and make a real nice Semi cacascade

Ken

Craig wrote:Gerard, what the point to this , will you be showing the original tree after styling.

Yes,
This tree was presented at the BSV workshops on Sunday.
Today I spoke to a forum member who asked "how big?'
As it turned out it was much larger than he guessed and perhaps some of the wonderful suggestions offered would not be possible but one of the things I enjoy most about bonsai is when people start to get creative.
This tree stands about 60cm (2 feet) from the bottom of the pot to the apex going by my best estimate. After lots of wonderful discussion the owner decided to go with this option.

Gerard, thats along the lines i was thinking, great piece of material, the owner is very lucky, cheers mate the suspense was killing me

I know I'm a bit late, but I had some trouble.

Just putting my in. Only cause it took so long to finish.

Tony

Thanks Tony,

The intent of the whole exercise of putting the starting material up for discussion was to show that there is more than one way to skin a cat.
Sometimes we are lucky enough to witness the brainstorming of suggestions which took place at the workshop on Sunday.

This was a unique workshop to witness because we had three very talented artists working side by side to offer their suggestions. (Normal practice is one opinion by a guest artist.) It becomes very special when there is open discussion about personal preferences and why.

Correction,

The worshops were conducted by 3 artists (Steve, Joe and QV) but......
John M had lots to offer and also Don Deluca who we were all delighted to see is looking well.

It is a good concept indeed Gerard.

To have trees open to discussion and input, and to receive different opinions is a great learning experience. Educational for all who are present. That is why this forum, and all like it, work so well. To have it in a more intimate forum such as a workshop, when the tree is present, affords great opportunity to the participant and to the observant observer. The bonus to the participant is they have the tree.
I love it when there is 'brainstorming' and respect for opinion.

Keep up the learning.

Tony

I know its a little late but this was the idea I had for this one.
not to far from how it was actually styled.. I did the virt before I seen the actual image though