Japanese beech forest on a curved slab. From Bonsai Today issue 24. Artist unknown. Japanese beech (Fagus crenata), with their striking white bark, strong trunks (often with excellent nebari) and beautiful smallish leaves, are a favorite of many bonsai artists, especially in Japan. Unfortunately, they aren’t that easy to find her in North America and our native beech (Fagus grandifolia), though a sweet and prolific tree is too rangy and large-leafed to make for very good bonsai (the European beech, Fagus sylvatica, which you can find, is a much better bet). All the trees in this post are Japanese beech … Continue reading The Beast of Bare-Boned Bonsai