Hi,

I have been given a Japanese larch by my partner as a surprise gift. I have 6 other bonsai but only 1 of which I have trained completely myself, the rest were purchased semi trained and it was quiet obvious the direction / style they were naturally forming... Having looked at this tree most days for a couple of weeks after work, I still don't have much idea what to with it... to me it looks like the wrong branch/ leader has been removed and now it just looks odd, and not something i would have personally chosen to work on... Anyway, I would really like some ideas as my eyes for spotting potential really aren't very good having only a few years experience, so have a look and let me know your suggestions..

thank you!

Hard without the trees in front. But this could be a direction to take it, if you feel like a tall slender trunkline.

leatherback wrote: Hard without the trees in front. But this could be a direction to take it, if you feel like a tall slender trunkline.

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that is definitely an option, thank you for the Photoshop effort. I wondered if the current leader could be bent over to hide that ugly cut, but it's almost an inch thick at the base... the more i look the more i just see a tree that had great potential but then a bit butchered

DomPerkins wrote: that is definitely an option, thank you for the Photoshop effort. I wondered if the current leader could be bent over to hide that ugly cut, but it's almost an inch thick at the base... the more i look the more i just see a tree that had great potential but then a bit butchered

Don't worry too much about the chop. Either make it a small yin, or cut it smoot with the main trunk. Over time it will close. Larch grow over wounds well.

See mine:
www.bonsaiempire.com/forum/progressions/12428-larch-in-progress

Thank you for the advice, your tree has become something really very nice.. Good job..
I think it's the straightness of my tree that makes it hard as it would of made a great classic straight shape im sure... Im also apprehensive to cut it right down as my girlfriend probably paid a bit for it from a bonsai nursery. I'd probably get in a bit of trouble with her if i chopped most of it off..
I might take it back to the place / person who sold it and see if they can show me what they had in mind, or ask to swap it :lol:

Personally, I think your tree is great starting material. Maybe you could tilt it a bit. But is het pretty decent movement, branches in the right places. Decide what you want to do with the chopsite. Then wire the branches in place. Reduce the number of branches (But keep in mind, Larch does NOT grow new buds, typically!).

In 2, 3 years this can be a nice tree.