Going down? There’s a lot to love about this old tree: that little piece of wood that hangs over the edge of the pot, the remarkable texture and color of the bark and the way the powerful old trunk seems to cling to the pot. There’s also the fact that the tree is a Southwestern White Pine (Pinus strobiformis), not your everyday bonsai species. And then there’s that remarkable jin that seems to be unconcerned if it fits or doesn’t fit with the rest of the tree. The tree belong to Greg Brenden. The photo is from the 2010 2nd U.S. National Exhibition Album.
The first two photos in this post are from our archives. June of 2012. It was just before the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition and now it’s almost time for the forth and there’s still time for you to make your plans and sign up (sadly, we’ll miss seeing you all as circumstances prevent us from being there this year).
What they have in common
Aside from their unique jin, what these first two trees have in common is; they were both on display at U.S. National Bonsai Exhibitions in Rochester, NY. This is good time to mention this excellent, world-class exhibition, as the 4th one starts in three weeks.
Going up? This complex sculpture/bonsai will no doubt delight the sensibilities of some and offend the sensibilities of others. I’ll put myself on the delight side. When I let go of my notions of naturalness and try to look with unprejudiced eyes, I’m struck by the way the whiteness of the deadwood sets off the delicious slick live vein. Then there’s the story behind the partially hidden twisted deadwood stump; something strange and wonderful happened to this tree before it was discovered clinging to its little patch of soil somewhere in the eastern part of North America (it’s a Juniper (Juniperus virginiana) that’s most often called an Eastern red cedar). Oh yeah, and there’s the jin. The tree belongs to Juan Calderon. The photo is from the 2008 1st U.S. National Exhibition Album.
A page out of the 2012 Album. As you can see, this Japanese black pine by Scott Elser was the National Award winner at the 2012 Exhibition.
The 2012 Album is still available (on special) at Stone Lantern. We also have 300 other items on special right now at Stone Lantern, including much of our remarkable selection of books, bonsai tools and numerous other bonsai items.