Picked up this "Little Gem" Buxus at my neighborhood nursery that had some nice movement low down on the double trunk, and honestly thought I could do something nice with it but wasn't sure what to do, maybe remove one of the double trunk or turn it into a Shari and Jin it all. Well bottom line I had multiple options and a few different fronts to work with and this is the before….

And this is it after! It has come way down and we shall see how it grows in!

Most shoots are cut back to 2 leaves now that it was actively growing as I learned to do many years ago in my apprenticeship. And I think this front utilities the movement branches and the large root to the side! I am pleased with it this far and now onto letting it grow in all year!

Perhaps if there is interest from folks I will create a dedicated bonsai thread here in the tree shrub forum to share my experience and discuss trees and shrubs in bonsai! Thanks for stopping by!

I will watch with interest.

Edited to delete duplicate post

If you're fairly new to bonsai, you might not have experienced the way bonsai practitioners critique each other's trees and offer suggestions. I see some things that I would have done differently, and can probably help you with some suggestions/observations, but I don't want to do that if you'll be offended by it. I remember when I was starting into bonsai and how much more I learned by seeing my trees through the eyes of others. Hopefully, you already feel that way or will come to feel that way because it will help you up your game.

I have grown trees out in the ground, lifted and them, and took them to several bonsai friends for their opinions, some of which lived 100-150 miles away. I don't/didn't do that for all trees, but when a special one comes along, there is a sense of obligation to do whatever is best for the plant's future, even if I'm not the one to fully bring out the features which are most outstanding. Anyway, I have some thoughts if you want to hear them.

Do start a bonsai thread. I asked about a special forum for bonsai but I got the impression the question had been raised and consensus was there wasn't enough interest. To be fair, that's just my interpretation derived from reading between the lines. I could be completely off the mark.

Al

I am not new to bonsai I was an apprentice 7 days a week for around 4 yrs and have been doing it for around 11-12yrs now so I am open to discussing and critiquing for sure!

But if you would like to participate in a bonsai thread I saw we should go for it!

Started a bonsai thread - this forum. We'll see where it goes.

Some things to think about:
It appears there is an area of reverse taper (a swelling) on the side of the trunk you chose to build your tree from, right where the several branches originate and the trunk starts moving back to the right. If it is reverse taper (might be a trick of the camera), I would probably have avoided using that side in favor of the right side, which would also increase the tree's taper. That can still be done, given how vigorous young trees are.

Generally, the 'floating root' you mentioned would be considered something that needs correcting by changing the tree's planting angle to bring it in contact with the soil or removing. I would likely remove it by severing just distal to the little but conspicuous root in the foreground and moving down and right, then carve the stub to look like it died naturally.

I was going to try for some images of my boxwoods, I think I have 3, but they're over-wintering right in the middle of an 8x10 table with plants stacked on plants. I'll remember the thread and take pictures when I start moving stuff in and out on nursery carts.

Tip: Boxwoods have very thin bark and wounds take a long time to heal. For that reason, many practitioners don't use concave cutters to remove branches. I've taken to securing the branch to be removed in the jaws of a pair of wiring pliers, then twisting the top of the pliers away from the trunk. This rips the branch out and leaves a very natural looking indentation where the branch was attached, which heals much better/faster than a flush or concave cut.

Who did you work as apprentice for? I've often thought that had I discovered the passion for bonsai before I had too much invested to change course insofar as what I did for a living, I would have loved to pursue bonsai as a livelihood, starting with an apprenticeship for whomever would have me.

Al

I am watching this thread, will not post anything as I am not qualified, just want to learn and also give support to this thread.. 加油，。。