I love the contrast between these cute spherically pruned trees and the majestic naturally shapped oaks behind. Notice that the apparent complexity of the fractal shape of the tree does not imply it is very difficult to prune a tree. It is more the size and the hardness of the branches that will decide how hard it is to prune the tree into a round shape.
Which tree shape is complex, the natural fractal shape or the artificial round shape? In terms of time, to accurately describe the shape, it is quicker to draw a circle than a fractal, so the circle is much simpler.
In terms of work to obtain the shape, it is the opposite. To get the fractal shape all you need to do is let nature do its job (with simple algorithms). To get a nice spherical shape you will need to prune the tree regularly. It is thus complex to get simple shapes.
Pruning a tree might not sound a complex process. However, the complexity comes from the fact the gardener will want to minimize his work on each tree. He will want to know the minimum frequency at which he needs to prune each of his trees. When in the season, which branch length (according to the tree halth), which tools, that makes many questions that complexify the control algorithm.
So yes gardeners as many other people do optimal control engineering without knowing it. Each time you ask yourself a question such as at which frequency should I do this, you are asking you the central question of control engineering. Too slow and you don’t get the performance you want, too fast and you overwork, you overconsume your energy.
A key factor of success is to do things at the good frequency. Unfortunately, this optimal bandwidth is complex to obtain.

To get back to the simple vs complex question, the key of the simplexity paradox lives in these points:

• A simple natural algorithm leads to a complex shape.
• A complex control algorithm leads to a simple shape.

More generally, we can sum this up like explained in this figure:

Notice that the line from nature to artificial world is continuous. I am not excluding mankind from nature.
Notice also that this separation between a chaotical world and a controlled world is very similar to Nassim Taleb’s separation between extremistan and mediocristan. I had already quickly talked about this description of extremistan and mediocristan as unstable (chaotical) and stable (controlled) systems in a previous post.

Then, here are a few more pictures of the snowed gardened.

Garden with naturally shaped trees in the background

Trees pruned in a conic shape.

Trees pruned in a cubic shape.

Feel free to leave your comments.

Enchanting ghost trees.

Sceaux Castle Forest under the snow.

Sceaux Castle under the snow.
This picture will be the inspiration for a future post. Can you see why?

If you have pretty winter pictures you want to show, you are welcome to link to them in the comments.

Do not hesitate to contact me if for some reason you want the pictures in full size (5 MegaPixels).

Happy new fractal year!

PS: In the first picture the tree is not the only one to be naked, can you see the naked young lady in the picture?

Wow, this naked young lady under the naked tree must be freezing. ;-)