After getting my own larch sorted out, attention turned to Stephen’s one.
This is it sitting at Stephen’s house. When we worked it out, it hasn’t been wired in 8 years. The last styling was done by Marco Invernizzi back in 2004.
Photos from then can be viewed here.
It’s a big tree and we wanted to try and complete the wiring in one day. Phil collected the tree in his van and we transported it to my garage for a little space to work in. Stephen’s bonsai studio was only build for hobbits and I’m definitely not that size 🙂 This it is photographed before we started.
About now you are probably having a close look at the base of the tree. Yes, it’s a strange one, it’s hard to see but there is a strong root that runs directly under the trunk lying parallel to the ground. This will be exposed to help show stability. There is another option, but that’s for another day!
The three of us got to work and managed to get the wiring completed.
One area that was a problem was the apex. It had been created from a single branch curled around to make it look fuller at the time. 8 years on this has become a problem. It could have been hidden by placing branches over the offending bits but could not be removed totally and make a convincing apex. We discussed it and Phil was keen to make a change rather that it becoming progressively worse with time. He came up with an option and Stephen decided to go for it.
This is the offending apex.
Branch being reduced.
Keep an eye on him Stephen 🙂
A typical Stephen Coffee break.
Birds eye view.
Final tweaks
The final image. Stephen is considering a change to the top jin, what do you think? Remove, leave, shorten?
The new apex looks a great improvement.
A closer look at the base.
Side view
Back
Before and after side by side.
The 3 amigos for scale, and just for fun.
We did this work without looking back to Marco’s styling in 2004. It was interesting to compare now having looked for the original photo.
Bonsai Eejit 
I agree that the apex looks better. Good job!
Just a thought: The trunk lacks much visible taper. Do you know if Stephen has ever considered a bunjin look?
And since you asked: I say keep the jin. It adds interest to the overall composition, and it’s in good proportion.
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Hi Steve, thanks for your thoughts. Don’t think Bungin has been considered to be honest. Stephen was keen to follow Marco’s original option. I think the jin should stay for now as well.
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Another great styling, I went and picked up a collected larch yesterday because your last post inspired me. I actually think the Jin could be shortened to a small stub but I would leave and study before the decision is made.
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What species of Larch Tom? They are great to play with. The Japanese larch can thicken branches very quickly but still makes a wonderful tree.
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An American larch, also called a tamarack. I love the species so far as I have a younger piece of material, but I am looking forward to working on this new piece at some point.
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Very very nice tree, I personally find the jin distracting.
Though I’m more concerned about your mate; this is the first photo sequence that he’s not sticking his fingers up. Is he under the weather? Perhaps he was on Santa’s naughty list? Hung-over? I hope he feels better soon 😉
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Lol Gary, I was amazed myself to be honest, I guess Phil was just too enthralled in his work. I did get the usual Syephen coffee break pic though 🙂
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Looks good Stephen
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Did you see Gary’s comment ? He wants to make sure you are feeling all right 🙂
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Very cool tree!
Were it mine to do, I’d remove the jin and that extra root. The apex would then be quite elegant. The tension/instability at the base is a large part of the character of the tree – just like a tree that grew at the base of a snowy slope.
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Hi Jim, It’s due a repot this Spring I think. If those roots as minor, they may be reemoved. Another option was to find the right stone to fit underneath trunk as if it’s resting there. Would have to be perfect though.
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Looking again, I think I would rotate it a bit clockwise when it is repotted. Regardless, I really like that tree!
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That’s the way it’s potted in the pot as seen in the first two photos, problem with that is you can see the back branch emerging from the trunk and then being bent to the left, not pretty and it catches the eye. It does look slightly more balanced from that angle but when we styled it, we contantly found ourselves opting for the final front to aviod this distraction.
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For me the jin has to go. The base provids so much visually that at the top is tp much. Great styling and branch placement. Lovely lazy curve. Like it.
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Not working today Dean? 🙂 Yes mate, at the very least shortening is a big option. Not my choice though, Stephen’s headache 🙂
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Stephen has the pic with the fingers lol
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We’ll never see it then lol
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So you’re ok then? Had me worried there for a while, glad everything;s alright. LOL 😉
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Suse says ” is the white sticky up thing the jin ? If so yes take it off “. Lol
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I’m starting to agree with her, you should get her to cast an eye over your trees 🙂
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I like the before and after photographs. A good bit of work, but the jin now seems too dominant. I would shorten it and then work on what remains to make it lighter.
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Seems most want it away or at least reduced. Happy New Year mate.
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Nice tree. I prefer without the jin at the top. It’s a bit distracting for me (bit like Phil doing the fingers! lol incidentally that was one of the first things I noticed missing when looking at the photo sequence!) Happy New Year Bonsai Eejit. Hope you continue to spoil us with your posts.
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Happy New Year to you too mate.
Yes, Im told that the usual two fingered salute was only made to Stephens camera. Sure I could get it to keep evertone happy. 🙂
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Ian and co., Great job but I think the jin has got to go. i suspect you think that too. Removing it should keep Phil happy as he likes cutting off. I would also remove those bottom roots if at all possible.
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Reblogged this on Willowbog Chat and commented:
Nice to see this long term development of a Willowbog bit of raw material that I collected myself , it is looking good though the trunk base still raises issues !
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Hi all,
what about to edit the jin slightly? The jin and the new appex will have afterwards almost similar movement. Left lower branch looks a little like a bar branch. I would cut it and try to make some foliage from the main right branch. Just my beginner’s thought…I try to do virt: https://plus.google.com/photos/109185274253613881379/albums/5829308022823773073#photos/109185274253613881379/albums/5829308022823773073
best regards, rasto
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Nice virtual, I’ll pass it on to Stephen. I have a feeling the jin will go but if it was to stay, then your idea is a good option.
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