Here is a couple of quick looks at the birth of a new bonsai. This Hinoki cypress (Chameacyparis obtusa) was dug this spring by Mark Comstock of Old Lyme, CT. He is identifying and acquiring wonderful pre-bonsai material that he'll be selling to the bonsai community for many years.
This tree is the first of these that I've had a chance to work. I potted the tree for the first time in early April. It responded beautifully in aftercare which convinced me it would be ok to do a first styling this week.
The tree after I got it home from Connecticut.
In the studio happily in its mica training pot. I've attached a piece of rebar up in the top of the tree to let me pull the top of the trunk over to create an elegant s-curve.
The guy wire at the top of the tree.
The tree as it stands today. We've left more branches and foliage than the refined tree will have. Many of the lower branches will probably be removed and a more natural and irregular silhouette will be created from the new branching that hasn't yet grown.
But we're happy with the start of this elegant new bonsai.