Just a tree I collected during my pot anything with bark phase.

Not exactly great material. No low branches, skinny and bad taper. Here it is about a month ago after I cut the stub off.

Its all dead in there so I took on my first carving project.

Initial carve I did. This side looks like a face, a very sad face.

I then let it sit for a few weeks on the bench like such.

I think this little tree has much better taper now.

After I saw some growth, the tree went in for its first styling. Here it is almost 3 weeks ago.

Apply wire.

Apply wire to secondary branches and start bending. Taking the Plant that is very two dimensional and has to much foliage high up into one with a more pleasing form.

Put a few curves in the branches. Late in season so only doing a light trim on the top.

Back. I hope that little sprout on the back side turns into a mighty back branch I can use to make this tree more 3d and in better proportions.

Front.

From my experience this tree back buds pretty well. Next year by planting it deeper, I will try to grow new roots closer to the big ones sticking off the sides and also at the same time make the tree in better proportions by about a centimeter.

I left the apex off the left because I think that large root on the right gives the tree the sense that it has grown so big and strong to keep the tree from falling over.

Any opinions and criticism are appreciated, thanks for reading.