This tree was purchased at an auction in spring
of 2001. It actually consists of two larches fastened to a piece
of driftwood. It caught my eye because of the unusual nature
of the tree and the skill with which the task had been performed.
Since the needles were already out I decided to leave any wiring
until winter and concentrated on improving ramification by intensive
pinching of new shoots.
By November I was ready to begin though I still
had no clear plan in mind.
The first step with the styling of any tree
should involve an investigation of surface roots. This tree
was buried quite deep and I had a notion that whatever I was
going to do it would involve a change of planting angle. It
was the right hand side in particular that concerned me as it
appeared to have only one rather spindly surface root (A) that
shot off towards the rear at a non-too-flattering angle. Excavations
below this side revealed better placed though not huge roots
about 15mm down. I was satisfied that these roots were conributing
well to the demands of the tree and the removal of the top root
would have no ill-effects.
The discovery of these new surface roots tied
in nicely with my plan for the new angle of planting. The tree
as it stood was far too upright. There was no movement in the
trunk, or driftwood. The large jin at the base on the other
hand offered a direction to the piece but they were again too
upright. The tree was also leaning too much away from the viewer.
The solution proved to be to tip the planting to the left and
towards the front. The trunk and jin both have movement to the
left now and even though the picture might not show it, brings
the composition to life.
My next step would normally be to decide upon
the first branch and work up the tree placing branches to compliment
the position of the first or main branch. The obvious choice
would be the lowest branch on the left but this is too close
to the large jin and any lowering of the branch would interfere
with their movement. The second branch on the left is a possibility
but it would be opposed by either of the two branches on the
right and it is a little spindly. The decision I arrived at
was to remove the two lowest branches on the left and use the
lowest branch on the right as a balance. Before making the final
decision I decided to determine where the apex will be. This
was confused by the fact that the two trunks have been used
all the way to the top. (See new planting angle) The view from
the side shows that the top of the right hand trunk leans to
the front whilst the other leans away. A general rule of thumb
that I tend to follow states that the trunk should lean away
from the viewer at the base and towards the viewer at the apex.
I was happy that there are enough small branches at the top
of the right hand trunk to enable me to make a satisfactory
apex and so the left hand trunk was lopped off where the two
trunks cross.
