The Emperor’s Bonsai

At least two things set this Root-over-rock  Trident maple (Kaede Ishitsuki – maple planted on a rock) apart from thousands of other root-over Trident maples on this planet. First there it’s exceptional quality, and second, it’s part of Japan’s Imperial Bonsai Collection. The tree’s age is about 90 years. Its height is 57 cm (22.5″). Here’s a quote from the Imperial website… “Among ‘zoki’ deciduous trees, ‘momiji’ (Japanese maple) and “kaede” (maple) (I’m not sure why this isn’t translated as Trident maple) are particular favorites of bonsai lovers because of the way they show off the four seasons. Aficionados appreciate the young buds in … Continue reading The Emperor’s Bonsai

A Quick Before and After Bonsai

Before and after Juniper by Bonsai Mike made quick and easy (or at least quick). Here’s part what Mike wrote about this tree and the event where the transformation took place…  “I’d like to thank the Puget Sound Bonsai Association for bringing me up to Seattle… Here’s a before and after of my demo tree. Deadwood still needs to be finished.” Yesterday we featured a before and after by Bonsai Mike. Today, we’ve got another of Mike’s B&As. Both are junipers and both are impressive in their own right. After that, most similarities end. Yesterday’s was a monster yamadori where the process … Continue reading A Quick Before and After Bonsai

Two Legged Juniper – Before & After

Sierra juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), before and after by Bonsai Mike. You can see the potential peeking out underneath the foliage in the before shot. Still, an impressive transformation Today’s tree belongs to Bonsai Mike, a first timer here on Bark (as distinguished from Michael Bonsai, who has appeared here numerous times). Here’s what Mike wrote about this old yamadori juniper… “One of my best trees. I collected this Sierra in 2011. It has gone through 3 stylings since then and keeps improving. The foliage is getting a little heavy now. In order to show greater age, some branches must be removed in … Continue reading Two Legged Juniper – Before & After

Tiny Flowering Bonsai – NEW Site Wide Sale

This little Japanese quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) looks old and yet is so small. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but there’s something about the brilliance and purity of quince flowers. Let’s make it three straight for Haruyosi, a favorite here and anywhere people love small trees. This isn’t the first time for this post (nor is it the second time). Must be one of our favorites. NEW STONE LANTERN SITE WIDE SALE 10% off Orders 10.00 – 49.99 15% off Orders 50.00 – 99.99 20% off Orders 100.00 or more see below – Here’s Haruyosi’s caption… “This cherry tree ‘Okame’ bloomed half … Continue reading Tiny Flowering Bonsai – NEW Site Wide Sale

Small Bonsai Are Still Beautiful Bonsai

This little deciduous tree with its profusion of small orange fruit isn’t identified, so we can only guess. Based on the fruit and the bark we’ll try Crabapple. If we’re wrong and you know what it is (or think you do) you can put it in the comments on our timeline. Short trees and short time today, which is why we’ll take that easy way out and bring back a favorite from our archives. This one originally appeared almost exactly one year ago (Dec 5th, 2017). I’ve long had a soft spot for Shohin bonsai and these are some of my favorites Continued below… THREE DAYS ONLY 40% OFF ALL … Continue reading Small Bonsai Are Still Beautiful Bonsai

Potentilla Bonsai, Before & After – As Fragile as Stained Glass

Potentilla fruticosa before and after from Lakeshore Bonsai. There’s a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to styling and caring for Potentilla Yesterday we featured a couple little Potentilla, so let’s stay on theme. This one was styled by Aaron at Lakeshore Bonsai in Toronto. The following is quoted directly from Lakeshore’s site… “This Potentilla is as fragile as a stained glass window and parts of it literally crumble away every time I work on it. It has undergone some pretty radical changes since I acquired it in 2011, and certainly does not look like the tree I initially envisioned it would … Continue reading Potentilla Bonsai, Before & After – As Fragile as Stained Glass

Shape Shifting by Robert Steven

Before and after by Robert Steven. The tree is a Casuarina that originally belonged to Ismail Saleh and now belongs to Robert. Here’s part of what Robert wrote about this transformation… “I changed the viewing angle, squeezed the dead part close to the living part then reset the foliage pads. Sooner or later the dead part will rot, then I should redesign the composition again” Here’s a little history from Robert about this famous tree… “The Legend ! This is one of the oldest Casuarina bonsai in Indonesia which has been going through a long path of transformation and survival, yet still keeps changing … Continue reading Shape Shifting by Robert Steven

Before & After Bonsai – Three in One

Three before and after bonsai styled by Juan Andrade. The trees are from top to bottom: Shimpaku juniper, Japanese black pine and a Needle juniper trunk with Shimpaku juniper foliage grafted on Continuing with our current before and after series… Juan Andrade served as a long term apprentice at Bonsai Aichien nursery in Japan. We’ve been following Juan’s progress for years (here’s a Bark post from 2012 that features a tree of his). Juan posts regularly on facebook, which is where we found these photos. TWO GREAT SPECIALS END TONIGHT see below This pine has a bunjin feel, but I think the … Continue reading Before & After Bonsai – Three in One

Before & After by Bonsai Boon with a Guest Appearance by Michael Hagedorn

Here’s Boon’s caption for this before and after… “Itoigawa shimpaku removed old needles, downward growth, rewired and reposition” No bonsai is ever finished (unless it’s dead and then it’s no longer a bonsai anyway).  I don’t know how many trees Boon Manakitivipart (aka Bonsai Boon) has, but I know it’s a whole lot more than most of us So what do you do when you have so many trees? Beyond basic care, like watering, feeding, treating for disease, insects etc? Well, one thing you do is spend some time bringing established bonsai back into shape, and if you have the talent, improving them in the process. … Continue reading Before & After by Bonsai Boon with a Guest Appearance by Michael Hagedorn

Bonsai on Instagram – Great Trees, Great Stones

There’s a lot going on with this one. Especially the two types of exposed roots – the long aerial roots growing down to the flat stone on the right, and the other set of roots fanning down the side of the large stone (the stone is another nice feature). I couldn’t find the type tree (looks like it might be a Ficus) nor any info on the artist/owner. Unless the person who put the photo up is the owner (there’s a name embedded in the Instagram address) Just ventured onto Instragram for the first time. So far I like it. It’s an easy … Continue reading Bonsai on Instagram – Great Trees, Great Stones