Paul

Designing a good forest is not real complicated, but trying to get someone to explain something like this over the internet probably isn't the best way to gather the info :-).

A simple look at what you want is ...

odd numbers of trees.

trees of different diameters and height.

a shallow oval pot.

a dominant larger tree slightly off center and to the front.
As you place each tree from larger to smaller, keep changing spacing between each tree to keep away from a human designed orchard look. You want it to look natural.

Each tree you add is slightly smaller and shorter than the one you just put in and it is placed further back into the design to simulate distance from front to back.

As you add each tree you jump from on side to the other.

I took the day off today to work in the greenhouse. I will put one together and post some photos for you.

randy

Randy
Thank you.
Special soil or muck?
A bonsai book I have says to use muck. Huh.
how do you make muck?
Paul

Paul

I mix my own soil.

I could see using a muck on a slab where you need a retaining wall, but not interested in messing with it in a pot. Just me, but I don't see any reason to. I prefer to have every square inch of pot free for soil here in this hot climate.

Will post photos later. Got tied up potting tridents and didn't do the forest yesterday. I'll do it later today.

randy

Paul

Here is a few photos of a Golden Gate Ficus forest planting I did this morning. I selected 5 trees, pruned and arranged them before potting. Then stuck them in the pot.

The pot was a little too nice for these trees, but I wasn't wanting to do anything bigger right now.

Hope it helps.

Ficus Forest

Randy
Tell ms about "The Image Hosting", the photo system your using.
I Planted six "bloodgood" maples and one seedling (using your directions) an hour ago in a 16" x 13" x 4" unglased ivory container and used a combination of bonsai soil and potting soil.
Paul

The other morning I was frustrated that photobucket was down for maintenance. I had some photos to share with someone, so I googled image hosting to see what else was out there. Gave it a try just to get the photos up. Not bad for free. Still think I prefer photobucket.

You'll have to show us a photo of what you've done.

randy

I havn't had much luck with photo's but I'll try later when the trees leaf out.
Paul

{{gwi:6785}}

Paul

One thing to keep in mind. It's important to protect newly pruned, repotted roots from freezing.

randy

I Have plenty of mulch near by and watch the night time temps on the 3 main Boston TV channels. We keep our fingers crossed in this area until the middle of june.
Paul