Episode 2 of the Ginkgo Story 6/23/15

lakechichiI'm not so sure about the apex or the way it's so crowded in this photo, but I like the tree anyway. Especially that gnarly old trunk. It's a Chi Chi, a small leaf Ginkgo cultivar. As you can see, it's from Lakeshore Bonsai (Toronto area). Here's Lakeshore's caption: "Ginkgo biloba ‘chi-chi’, 7 years in development from imported raw material. Probably started as an air layer in Japan."

All of the sudden we’re interested in Ginkgo bonsai. I don’t have any, but if I find a good one…

I borrowed the following from an ofBonsai article by Heather Hartman:
“It is best to style Gingko based on their natural inclinations toward a column, or flame shape. Ginkgo can resent pruning, and as a result, many ginkgo bonsai have a similar look, due to how they show their dislike. Pruned branches are prone to dieback, either shortly after being pruned or the following winter. This can result in a heavy trunk with relatively few, upward facing branches. Twigs will grow in clusters from the branches. As the growth and replacement of branches is repeated over the years, it can result in interesting, gnarled areas on the trunk. Fortunately, not all shoots will dieback, but predicting which ones will and which ones won’t is nearly impossible.”

 

ofbon

This one belongs to Dan Barton. I found the photo on ofBonsai Magazine. It and the photo just below are part of a Ginkgo article by Heather Hartman (a good read, especially if you like Ginkgo - see above for an excerpt).

 

ofbon2

Same tree as just above, different time of year and no moss covering the roots.

 

Ginkgo_biloba_2This eccentric Ginkgo with its rough bark, great taper and impressive hole (sabamiki) was sent to us by Calin from Italy. Would you remove the middle trunk?

 BT96wireNot a Ginkgo. Just a reminder that we just got a shipment in and all of our Bonsai Wire is 20% off this week. With an extra 10% off for orders 100.00 +.