Walter Pall visited Natures Way for Winter Study this weekend (5-7 Dec 2K14).
This group consisted about (18) folks, many of whom have attended the Walter Pall series for a number of years.
A large number of trees were brought in this past Spring, so there were many very nice trees still left, on which to practice bonsai skills.
The weather was horrible (rain Friday and Saturday), so most of the work was done in the hoop-house.
The basic house-keeping rules for the weekend were explained by Walter & Jim
...while the group listened...
...and off to begin the work on trees!
Here Walter had everyone form small groups, and gave each group a tree, and 10 minutes to figure out what to do with the tree.
Here he is examining a nice Ponderosa...
...and has several thoughts on the initial work suggested by the group...
...a nice Engelmann Spruce that Jim is commenting on...
...and a killer European larch...
...which was reviewed for some major work by the group who had it...
...and another very nice Larch which was reviewed for some carving and branch removal...
...Walter provides an opinion on where the front should be, and why...
...This Engelmann Spruce was worked by Ryan Neil, and is very healthy.
The tree is several hundred years old, and shows many signs of age.
It has grown out nicely since last styling, but the branch positions need to be refreshed, and small bits cleaned out.
...One of the group wound up very interested in the tree, so it went home with a very happy new owner!
...This twin-trunk Ponderosa was brought in by another attendee, and needed some branch placement adjustment, and small bits cleaned out.
Walter had some more discussion on various aspects of the tree, as it had been previously worked by another well-known artist.
...Walter suggested the specific things which needed to be done now, and some further work to be done in the Spring...
... a nice small Pine...
...and a HUGE Maple which a group discussed for Winter Work...
...as can be seen this tree has a wonderful base, and very nice movement in the trunk, with great taper. This will some day make a killer bonsai!
...and Walter also believes this can be pushed along to a very refined state in perhaps as little as 3 to 5 years...
...a small Ponderosa with a severe trunk bend inflicted by Nature. It shows some wonderful deadwood, and is very healthy.
Walter suggested further compacting of the foliage, and of course clean-out of un-necessary bits.
...One group did some major work on a nice Spruce, bringing the branches down further.
This tree looks like it was just taken from a snow-covered slope high in the Rockies!
Very nice tree!!!!
and another view...
