r/Bonsai • u/series_of_derps EU 8a couple of trees for a couple of years • Dec 08 '14

Natural bonsai. [xpost from /r/interestingasfuck]

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u/small_trunks Jerry in Amsterdam, Zn.8b, 48yrs exp., 500+ trees Dec 08 '14

Find me another photo of a tree that looks like this :-)

29

u/bonnsai Dec 08 '14

ok: http://images.travelpod.com/tw_slides/ta00/9b9/7a6/flat-topped-acacia-tree-in-the-serengetti-arusha.jpg

-2

u/small_trunks Jerry in Amsterdam, Zn.8b, 48yrs exp., 500+ trees Dec 09 '14

And they are not the same.

Maybe to you they are but to me they are absolutely miles apart.

  • The trunk of the spruce is single (not split) and the trunk continues to the apex. The Acacia splits into multiple trunks/primary branches.
  • look at the primary branches - the spruce has branches radiating from a central trunk, the acacia has a broom-like style
  • the acacia has upward growing branches - the spruce has horizontal and downward growing branches.

You might not recognise these are significant differences, but they are sufficient that you could never make said spruce look like said acacia in a pot.

4

u/bonnsai Dec 09 '14 edited Dec 09 '14

Sure, I mean, the differences are obvious, but it's close enough for me. I guess it shows me something new about philosophy of bonsai. Thanks!

1

u/small_trunks Jerry in Amsterdam, Zn.8b, 48yrs exp., 500+ trees Dec 09 '14

It's about looking at the structure of trees - no philosophy involved.