Bonsai Society of San Francisco

Nature’s Bonsai & a New Identity for a Famous Tree

A Sierra juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) sculpted by wind and snow. It lives near Granite Lake at 8,500 feet in the Emmigrant Wilderness (near Yosemite in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains). This photo and the next two are borrowed from Bonsai Society San Francisco Still sticking with our Sierra juniper theme but with a twist (unintended). Rather than the typical yamadori  we’ve been showing, this time it’s Nature’s bonsai still growing in its original home (thanks to Terry Davis of Mullet Wrapper fame for the suggestion) The following quote which refers to the tree in the first three photos, is from Bonsai Society San Francisco… “The tree is about 7 … Continue reading Nature’s Bonsai & a New Identity for a Famous Tree

Bonsai Bark Weekly Wire

I’m in San Francisco for a few days, so why not lead with the Bonsai Society of San Francisco? I’ve perused plenty of bonsai society websites and the BSSF’s is, without a doubt, one of the most informative and complete. In conjunction with the site, they also have a monthly newsletter; Fog City Bonsai.   This amazing tree is one of many world-class bonsai at the Shinpukuji Temple bonsai museum. It’s from Boon Manakitivipart’s excellent Japan adventure. You can enjoy more photos from Boon’s trip and much more at Bonsai Tonight. Bonsai Apprenticeship minus the suffering From Peter Tea’s blog: … Continue reading Bonsai Bark Weekly Wire

Boon’s Big Bonsai: The Original (Plus One)

Here’s the original photo (©2009 Boon Manakitivipart) of Boon admiring one of the most amazing trees anywhere (see our last post if you haven’t already). It was taken by Michael Pitalo (Kneecap Graph X). If you check back to this earlier post, you might think that Boon has a knack for finding extraordinary trees, or at least being photographed with extraordinary trees (we’re waiting for number three as final proof). The tree Okay, we know it’s amazing. The longer you look at it, the more amazing it is. But, we still haven’t identified the species (Sierra juniper?). And we’ll probably … Continue reading Boon’s Big Bonsai: The Original (Plus One)

Mystery Tree Contest Winner

Here’s the mystery tree two years later (2006). The owner/artist is Jay McDonald of Marin County (that beautiful place at the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge). We lifted this image from the Bonsai Society of San Francisco. And the winner is… The contest winner is Lawrence LeClaire. Lawrence teaches beginner’s bonsai classes and is the editor of BSSF’s newsletter, Fog City Bonsai, so he had a bit of an inside track on this tree, and apparently on reading my mind as well. From formal to informal It’s still the same tree two years later, though it’s in a … Continue reading Mystery Tree Contest Winner