Japanese Slab Forest & Other Issues

This illustrious forest is from Bonsai Today issue 23. Among other things, it shows how one very strong tree can add drama and power to a forest planting. Though the original doesn’t say, I’ll guess that it’s by Saburo Kato (Japan’s most revered bonsai artist) and that the trees are Ezo spruce. Other treasures like this Most of the content in Bonsai Today magazine is from the old Japanese masters, and even though there is much to be excited about in contemporary Western bonsai, you would be hard pressed to find a forest with this level of refined precision anywhere … Continue reading Japanese Slab Forest & Other Issues

Suzuki, Santini & One Big Sabamiki

I pulled this distinctive bonsai off of a gallery on facebook that was posted by Francesco Santini. There isn’t much information provided and I don’t read Italian anyway (Free Translation nonwithstanding), so I can’t say much about this tree except that the hollowed out trunk caught my eye. An unusual tree I have seen very few trunks that have been so completely hollowed (from side to side anyway, if not in depth). It looks like it might be a Ezo spruce though I could be mistaken. If it is an Ezo, it must be quite old to attain such size … Continue reading Suzuki, Santini & One Big Sabamiki

Staying On Board: Michael Hagedorn’s Ezo Spruce

As long as we’re on the subject of ezo spruce, I thought you might like to see this potless ezo clump from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai. Potless and eventually boardless Here’s what Michael Hagedorn has to say about this planting: “I have the tree on a wooden board, which will be temporary support for about two years. After that time, I hope the roots will be solid enough (with some interior bamboo shafts) to support the entire kokedama (moss ball) and be able to be placed directly on a bench—sans pot or slab.” Post Dated Michael Hagedorn is the author … Continue reading Staying On Board: Michael Hagedorn’s Ezo Spruce