Pine Bonsai, Past & Present

  Dwarf Japanese five-needle Pine at this year’s Kokufu Exhibition. This and other Kokufu photos are from Bill Valavanis’ blog. Here’s Bill’s caption… “Looks like a spruce with the short needles.” Getting ready to throw the switch on our new website, so just some random pine bonsai today. Six from the past and two from this year’s Kokufu Exhibtion (Kokufu photos are courtesy of Bill Valavanis) SITE WIDE SALE ENDS TONIGHT 25% OFF EVERYTHING ON ALL ORDERS 25.00 OR MORE PLUS AN EXTRA 10% OFF OUR FAMOUS ROSHI TOOLS & AN EXTRA 10% OFF ROBERT STEVEN’S BONSAI AESTHETICS TOOLS 25% OFF … Continue reading Pine Bonsai, Past & Present

Mugo Pines – Achieving the Recognition They Deserve

This powerful old yamadori (collected from the wild) Mugo pine would be exceptional even if it didn’t have that piece of deadwood that doubles back on the trunk. With this feature it’s a tree you won’t easily forget. My one question has to do with balance. The long left side nebari provides an anchor, but is it enough to visually stabilize the strong lean to the right? I found this photo on Carlos van der Vaart’s timeline. All three bonsai photos shown here are from earlier Bark posts. However, most of the text was written this morning in front of … Continue reading Mugo Pines – Achieving the Recognition They Deserve

Two Powerful Bonsai for Your Enjoyment

Oaks are often full of character and this one is no exception. It’s a Holm oak that belongs to Raffaele Perilli. Though you can’t see it in this photo, it’s sitting on a Green T Hydraulic Lift Bonsai Turntable. I guess this post might qualify as an infomercial of sorts… but before you move on, you might take a moment to appreciate three things… First, two powerful bonsai for your enjoyment Second, our NEW Tool and Wire Sales Third, our amazing Green T Professional Hydraulic Turntable. Continued below… 2 Brand NEW Sales 2 Continuing Sales… …one with increase discounts NEW … Continue reading Two Powerful Bonsai for Your Enjoyment

Powerful Bonsai & an Ode to a Powerful Turntable

An excellent (if somewhat unkempt) Yew astride a Green T turntable.  At least I think it’s a Yew (Taxus). We have a handful of wonderful Green T Turntables left for the season, and I can think of no better gift for any bonsai artist… professional, highly accomplished non-professional, or simply aspiring. Continued below… Three Great New Sales 30% to 40% off Bonsai Today back issues 30% off Roshi Bonsai Tools 30% off Yoshiaki Japanese Bonsai Wire plus an Extra 10% off orders 100.00+* FREE Shipping on U.S. orders 50.00+ you must select Free Shipping when you check out   An … Continue reading Powerful Bonsai & an Ode to a Powerful Turntable

Bonsai Dreaming (on Such a Winter’s Day)

I’m guessing that this is a Mugo pine that was originally collected in the mountains of central Europe (the Alps?). It belongs to Mauro Stemberger, a long time favorite here on Bark. Gearing up for the big push (the whole year condenses to next three or four weeks), so we won’t spend too much time here. Just enough to brighten up your day (on this cold grey and snowy winter’s day) with three of our favorite Mauro Stemberger bonsai from his Italian Bonsai Dream website . And to remind you about Stone Lantern and our Site Wide Sale. Continued below… We … Continue reading Bonsai Dreaming (on Such a Winter’s Day)

Four Sturdy Bonsai & One Very Sturdy Turntable

Old European olives are often full of character as well as muscle, and this one is no exception. I believe the tree belongs to Luis Vallejo, though I couldn’t find evidence on his website. Taking some time off today, so we’ll resurrect an old favorite from our archives. While we’re at, we’ll give a nod to our powerful Green T Turntable. There’s something compelling about bonsai with powerful trunks. Assuming that I’m not the only one so compelled, below are three more very sturdy bonsai and one very sturdy turntable for your enjoyment. Myrtus communis by Rui Ferrreira. I’ve never … Continue reading Four Sturdy Bonsai & One Very Sturdy Turntable

‘Art Shots’ from the European Bonsai San Show

Here’s a great trunk shot of an old English yew (Taxus baccata) that belongs to Andres Alvarez. The pot is listed as Chinese, which most likely means it’s Yixing. This shot makes it look like a short muscular tree, but it’s actually quite tall. You’ll have to wait for tomorrow’s post or visit Harry Harrington’s site for a photo of the whole tree (the same goes for the other photos in this post). Yesterday’s post was devoted to Harry Harrington’s photos from the recent European Bonsai San Show. Today we’re going to continue with Harry’s photos from the show, only … Continue reading ‘Art Shots’ from the European Bonsai San Show

Wraparound Bonsai & Two Great Specials End Tonight

This distinctively unusual Mugo pine received Marco Invernizzi’s Ichiban* Award at the 2008 Art of Bonsai Awards. The artist is Alfredo Salaccione from Italy. If you spend a lot of time looking at bonsai, you might come to appreciate unusual features. Features that make a tree not only interesting, but unique. In the case of the Mugo pine above, there are several that stand out. The most obvious feature, one that immediately catches the eye, is the way the trunk wraps around and frames the tree’s crown. This alone, makes for a very unusual and distinctive bonsai. A bonsai that … Continue reading Wraparound Bonsai & Two Great Specials End Tonight

Before, After & Midway Through

Mugo pine by Walter Pall. Here’s what Walter wrote about this tree: “This one has exceptional potential. Unfortunately, it almost died a few years ago. Now it is recovering and some day it will shine again.” From the looks of it, I’d say it’s already shining. I can think of at least four good reasons to feature this tree… First, the artist is Walter Pall, a favorite on here on Bark and someone whose trees are featured in Modern Bonsai Practice, a groundbreaking new bonsai book. Second, it’s a Before & After, which judging by responses is a favorite topic. … Continue reading Before, After & Midway Through

Two Pines, an Honest Effort (& Something New for You)

I like this tree’s fluid movement with its strong changes of direction. I also like the pot, though if you’re showing a tree like this, it could be a little smaller. Here’s our rough translation of the caption with this photo: “This charming and elegant image that we’re sharing is from Bonsai Albar (does someone knows who it belongs too? Thank you).” The original Spanish is below.* Today we’ve got two pines for you. A little digging unearthed the tree above as a Mugo** but the artist is unknown. The tree below is the reverse; the artist, Kevin Willson is … Continue reading Two Pines, an Honest Effort (& Something New for You)