Page 36 - BSAM 2015 Q3

It was evident that the plant had two possible fronts but I immediately discarded the one at the top, which for my taste had a line that was too strong and elusive. A more compact solution that could bring out the strength of the trunk and the cavity.
become a new resource from which to create beauti- ful bonsai.
During his first visit to Portland, Oregon, Walter Pall, renowned German bonsai artist, was able to see and buy the specimen that is the subject of this article. In collaboration with Jim Doyle, owner of Nature’s Way Nursery, they brought the tree to the East Coast (photo 2).
We see how now, only two years after harvesting, the juniper has thoroughly rooted and has been repotted
in a bonsai pot to continue maturing with regard to the branching. The plant needed to develop branching and have sufficient strength to withstand a first styling.
When I saw the plant for the first time in 2013, it was love at first sight and in agreement with Jim; we decided it would be the material for my demo during my next trip. Finally the time came and I found myself face to face with this beast of a tree. Bringing it indoor into the workshop area, I was clear on the final design that I wanted to apply to this tree. It was evident that the plant had two possible fronts but I immediately discarded the one, which for my taste had a line that was too strong and elusive. Opting for a more compact solution that could bring out the strength of the trunk and the cavity at the base surrounded by an interesting live vein that rises to the front branch.
The selection of ramification begins immediately, eliminating all branches from the large branch in the back that is readily transformed into a jin. Doing so removes its visual strength, refocusing attention to the more compact branches that will form the primary structure of our bonsai. All the carving work is carried out using mostly hand tools, namely knives, gouges and a splitter to tear the fibers of the wood and to shape the dead matter.
The next step is to wire and bend the main branches. Juniper species are very flexible in this regard and pay- ing the necessary attention, can be bent, even those very thick. Start by removing the dead part of the main branch to make it flexible by using a die grinder. Immediately after, the carved area is filled with wet paper—to maintain humidity during the following months—and then wrapped with raffia ribbon and plastic wrap to prevent dehydration.
34 | BCI | July/August/September 2015