AlainK

Danke schön Ravenna,

Two years of German at school, but sorry, my German is very poor, the only chance I ever had to practise a bit was when I went to Turkey in the 80s

I think it is just the plain common variety, Acer p. tunberghi. I think the colors were particularly spectacular this year because I defoliated it in June.

Wait for my "Orange Dream" ones to be more than sticks in a pot, the spring colours are fantastic...

__________________
Alain K.
http://www.rdb45.fr
http://ak2.apinc.org/bdB

Rick Moquin

Alain,

I very much admire the work you have done with root over rocks. As you know I always have a few comments

I believe a dark blue pot of the same caliper will enhance this beauty, especially in autumn.

Although extremely well displayed, I cannot go WOW, for the time being that is

To me the right hand branch is bothersome, too long giving the tree a coniferous look vice the natural (more rounded) look of a maple. By rounding off the canopy, which by the way is easily seen in your pics and easily accomplished and shortening the right main branch you will well on your way. Keep up the good work!

__________________
Bonsai is the journey, not the destination
Bonsai Wonders

AlainK

Thank you for your input, Rick.

I agree with a darker blue, but at the time this was the best one I had regarding shape and colour. The other ones I had were either too big, or too small.

I understand your point of view on the right branch, but it's been a choice, although I wondered whether the view you're defending now was the right one or not.
I decided to keep this branch long because to me, a more conventional styling would have made the rather straight part of the trunk below it even more obvious.
And to me it has a Chinese feel like that, even if I'm not a specialist (not much literature available on the subject in the languages I understand, and Chinese... Well that's all Greek to me!).

A place I like to visit:
http://www.fff789.com/info.aspx?id=41&Page=12

__________________
Alain K.
http://www.rdb45.fr
http://ak2.apinc.org/bdB

Rick Moquin

... and I appreciate your candid reply.

Wrt the pot I appreciate we don't hlways have the one we want on hand. I like the proportions and shape and well you know my colour preference.

Wrt the branch, bonsai is about time and well after looking at (the pruned) winter silhouette will reserve any further judgement at this time, but I am definitely looking forward to next fall and see the results, before pronouncing myself any further wrt your choice.

I also have a penchant towards the Chinese style so we are speaking from the same ball field Nonetheless continue the good work.

__________________
Bonsai is the journey, not the destination
Bonsai Wonders

Ravenna

Hi Alain,

hmm... may be Turkey is not the best place to learn German. I have never been there but I am surprised that you managed to learn it there at all. May be I should go to France to learn English...

I am not sure how others would feel about it but I for one am always curious to see nice maples whether they are yet "bonsai-worthy" or not. I just like their colours so for what it is worth I give you the "permission" to post pics of your Orange Dream maples even if they are sticks in the pot.

As we're are discussing the tree more in detail: what bothers me is not so much the right branch though Rick is right you have to be careful not to go over the top and it is a bit borderline there but I suspect if you cut it it risks becoming too symmetric again. What I found stranger when it was in leaf is that the left side of the tree is all more round in the outline but has some "dents" in the foliage while the right side with the long branch seems to be asking for empty spaces but the canopy is quite dense and closed there.

I don't know what you think of the idea but I would be tempted to reverse that aspect: have a more closed canopy on the left and more empty spaces on the right. It might also balance the tree more again. May be try a photoshop "re-cut" before the "real cut". (And show it to us... would be interesting to see what that would give... )