Fine Branching Is Key to Superior Deciduous Bonsai

This now famous Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) received the coveted Kokufu prize at the 88th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition. Aside from its overall magnificence, this tree provides a perfect example of what great ramification looks like. The photo is from the World Bonsai Friendship Federation. Identification and other details were provided by Bill Valavanis. Ramification literally means branch development, or how branches grow. However, when it comes to the art of bonsai, it has come to mean branch development that displays a couple key features: taper and fine branching. These features are critical when it comes to developing quality deciduous (and … Continue reading Fine Branching Is Key to Superior Deciduous Bonsai

Bonsai Ramification and a Leap of Convoluted Logic

This Japanese hornbeam (Carpinus laxiflora) is from Bonsai Art’s facebook photos (from issue 129 of their magazine). I’ll let you provide your own superlatives. No artist’s name is provided on facebook or in the magazine for either of the trees shown here, but I’d bet they’re Japanese. Last week we did a post on ramification which states the following: “the thing that most separates Japanese bonsai from much of the bonsai in the West is refinement. With deciduous trees this is most obvious when you look at ramification (branch structure and particularly fine branch structure).” Based on the source (Bonsai … Continue reading Bonsai Ramification and a Leap of Convoluted Logic

Ramify!

Robert Steven’s simulation of an Olive that was submitted by Gary Howes (it’s Gary’s second time, here’s the first). Ramification. In the almost two and one half years since we ran our first critique by Robert Steven, he has repeatedly emphasized the importance of developing branching (ramification), particularly fine branching (secondary, tertiary and so forth). Especially if you want to create the feel of maturity on a young tree (or any tree for that matter). And though you can’t grow new branches overnight, it doesn’t take that long to get a good start. How long depends on a number of … Continue reading Ramify!

What About Refining Bonsai?

One page of a sixteen page article on refining branches, from Bonsai Today issue 13 (long out of print, but we’ve bought back a few old issues and are offering them at antique prices at Stone Lantern). Do you really care about refining bonsai? Years ago I heard an old Japanese master say that the primary difference between Japanese and Western bonsai is refinement. I concur; at the time, most Westerners we not taking the time and trouble to develop fine branching (and other things) to the extent that the Japanese were. Now, though much has changed and Western bonsai … Continue reading What About Refining Bonsai?

Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai: 3

The third and final set of illustrations in the series (first set, second set). This one deals primarily with shaping with wire after the pinching and pruning has been completed. I suspect that where it say RESTRAINING NEW SHOOTS (top left corner), it should say TRAINING NEW SHOOTS. From Bonsai Today issue 66. Training new shoots The final step in our series is on training the new shoots. Notice how it is suggested that you do it sooner rather than later after the shoots have started to harden. Shaping with wire is almost always the best way, though sometimes just … Continue reading Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai: 3

Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai

These illustrations represent a page from Bonsai Today issue 66 (in stock at Stone Lantern). It’s the first of a five page series on ramification (branching) that we are running over two posts. Ramification equals branch development Ramification literally means branch development, or how branches growing. However, when it comes to the art of bonsai (and especially deciduous bonsai) it has come to mean branch development that displays a couple key features: taper and fine branching. These features are critical when it comes to developing quality deciduous bonsai. Deciduous trees develop rapidly…. … but they also lose their shape rapidly. … Continue reading Developing Ramification on Deciduous Bonsai