Using three 5-gallon Foemina Junipers and a slab of slate, I created this group planting in a Ted Matson workshop at Kimura Bonsai and Landscape Nursery on Sunday, April 15, 2007. Because of the size of the trees, not to mention the inexperience of the four students, the workshop lasted all day -- from 9:30 AM to about 3:00 PM, Kimura's Sunday closing time.
This bonsai's story is that these are three nearly same-age trees growing on a slate outcropping in a Western forest. But what you see is a very rough first styling -- really more a pre-styling just to get the three trees down to the size and general shape necessary to fit them all on the slab.
The No. 1 tree (the middle one) needs to grow taller while other two remain at or near current height. The two closely planted Junipers on the left are virtually identical in diameter of the trunk while the No. 3 tree on the right is slightly smaller, thus perhaps a little younger.
Comment #1
(Posted by Tom McGuire) Rating
David, Great work on the forest. I see you spent alot of time wiring. The moss is a nice touch. Did the workshop supply you with the moss?
Comment #2
(Posted by David Whiteside) Rating
Hi Tom,
Yes, the workshop supplied everything needed: trees, slabs, wire, soil, moss, and muck to build a wall around the planting. We all wired our trees (with some help from Ted to help us all get done in time) before placing them on the slab, then pruned even wired branches to fit as we assembled the group. To held the trees in place, we used an epoxy to fasten loops of wire to the slab; then we tied the trees with wire through the loops. Note the additional wire high up in the trees linking them all together -- to give them greater stability until they are established in the soil.
Comment #3
(Posted by Marj Branson) Rating
Well Done!
Interesting to hear your comments re tree placement and numbers. Number one tree has to grow. With all the trees being close in size does that mean you have to trim the other two to keep them the lower heights?
How much does the complete tree and slab weigh?
Comment #4
(Posted by David Whiteside) Rating
Hi Marj,
Yes, to get the desired visual balance among the three trees, both No. 2 and 3 will be trimmed / pinched to maintain their current height while No.l is allowed to grow a bit taller. (They won't be trimmed back from their current heights, just restricted from growing taller.)
This whole composition is actually smaller than it appears online and weighs only about 8 pounds.
