Thuja occidentalis

A Soft Spot for Cedars

When is a Cedar not really a Cedar? Or does it even matter? Either way, this has to be one of the very best Northern white cedars we’ve seen yet. I’ve got a soft spot for Cedars, even when they’re really Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis – aka Northern white cedar – more below) and the one above is certainly no exception. I know I’ve seen it somewhere, but memory is elusive (74) and I know I’ll be embarrassed when you point it out (just heard from a couple bonsai friends north of the border – the artist is Brian Donnely of … Continue reading A Soft Spot for Cedars

Cedar IV – True & Untrue

A later iteration of a Northern white cedar (Thuja Occidentalis) that we featured last year (see below). The tree’s potential has moved closer to realization (even with the photo’s missing top and right side). It belongs to Paul Chong. Both photos are originally from Lakeshore Bonsai, Toronto. Keeping with our Cedar theme, here’s a good one that we’ve featured before (below). The later version (above) shows improvements worthy of bonsai artist with a sharp eye and a sure touch. It falls into the ‘untrue’ cedar category (Cedrus are true cedars and this one is a Thuja or Arborvitae). Just in … Continue reading Cedar IV – True & Untrue

More Cedars: From Our Friends Up North

Northern white cedar (Thuja Occidentalis) by Paul Chong of the Toronto Bonsai Society. Friend out west? Two of the three cedars in this post are by Paul Chong. Though there are several other notable cedars on the Toronto Bonsai Society’s website, Paul’s jumped out at me. And, incidentally, Toronto is actually west of Vermont, not north. Another of Paul’s powerful collected cedars. Only Mother Nature (with a little help from a deft hand here and there) could accomplish something this spectacular.

Eccentric Bonsai #8: Crafty Nick’s Crazy Cedar

You like unconventional? Crazy? How about daring and masterful? Notice how the color and design of the pot plays with the wild shari (deadwood) and the small touch of moss on the left mirrors the foliage. Just another bonsai from left field by crafty old Nick Lenz, master left fielder, author, and preeminent (whatever that means) master of cedars, larches and other collected North American gems. This photo is from North American Bonsai (American Bonsai Society – compiled and edited by Martin Schmalenberg), now on sale at Stone Lantern. When is a cedar not really a cedar? The tree featured … Continue reading Eccentric Bonsai #8: Crafty Nick’s Crazy Cedar