Michael’s Miraculous Escape 12/18/11

A famous Foemina juniper after Michael Hagedorn ruined it (just kidding…). Photos are from Michael’s Crataegus Bonsai.

Tar and feathers
If I was inclined to envy, I think I’d chose Michael Hagedorn’s writing skills to be envious of (taking nothing away from his considerable bonsai skills). Fortunately, my experience is more one of appreciation than envy (still, if I could only….). Anyway, I’ll let Michael speak for himself:

“No matter how assured you are, changing the design of a famous tree is done with a deep intake of breath. One takes precautions. Like boarding up windows and doors, in premonition of a rowdy gang of tree maniacs in green cloaks with picks and axes and rolls of wire for who knows what horrible use, in the street outside your house. And you imagine thinking, as you stand quietly looking out at growing chaos and red torch fire, with chants like ‘Let’s redesign HIM!’, that a bonsai-free life in Acapulco sounds nice. But at this point it’s too late. The deed is done. My only advantage is that few of you know where I live…” There’s more on Michael’s website, Crataegus Bonsai.

Just in case
I’m not so sure this post makes sense at first glance, given the obscure title and my little rant about envy, so just to clarify; Micheal Hagedorn’s much improved restyling of a famous bonsai that appeared on the cover of Golden Statements is what we’re after here (you probably figured that out, but just in case…).

Before. Our famous juniper graces a Golden Statements cover.

Another before. Just the tree this time.

No tar, no feathers
It’s impossible for a tree to remain exactly the same over time, so periodic restyling is an essential part of the art bonsai. In this case, there’s not doubt in my mind (or eye) that this restyling resulted in a marked improvement. So hats off to Michael. No tar and feathers necessary.

Michael’s excellent book
As you might expect, Michael’s Post-Dated – The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk, about the time he spent as a bonsai apprentice in Japan, is a great read.