Bonsai that Don’t Bust Your Bank Account & an Important Natural Phenomenon

We’ve featured this tree before and we may well feature it again in a year or two. The tree is a yew. The artist is Harry Harrington. Sticking with our friend Harry Harrington. We originally put this post together in September, 2017… All the photos featured here are courtesy of Harry Harrington, an artist who specializes in what you might call found bonsai; bonsai from the wild or from hedgerows and gardens or wherever bonsai stock might come from that doesn’t bust your bank account. For more found bonsai and other good news, you can visit Harry at Bonsai4me or on his … Continue reading Bonsai that Don’t Bust Your Bank Account & an Important Natural Phenomenon

Two More Trees – Bonsai Tool Special Ends Tonight

No identification is given with this tree, but it looks like it could be a Yew (Taxus) Continuing with two more of David Benavente’s bonsai that are featured on a fb site called Una siesta in el nebari (A nap in the nebari) 30% off TOOL & WATERING CAN SPECIAL END TONIGHT see below The uncropped original of the tree above Another yew? Another uncropped original TOOL SPECIAL ENDS TONIGHT! 30% off Bonsai & Other Tools 30% off Watering Cans Sale applies to tools & cans that are already discounted 30% discount is applied at checkout LAST DAY special ends tonight, … Continue reading Two More Trees – Bonsai Tool Special Ends Tonight

It’s Taxus Time

This old Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) belongs to Mauro Stemberger. The color coordinated pot is by Petra Hahn (even the moss has reddish spots). I found the photo on The Art of Bonsai Project. Just for the fun of it, I searched our archives for the word Easter today. As you might suspect, all the posts with Cotoneaster came up. No surprise there. But so did several others, including this one (from December, 2015). My humble apologies… I didn’t realize that it’s tax time until after I dug up this old ‘Taxus’ post. Once I did realize, I couldn’t resist … Continue reading It’s Taxus Time

Trophy Time and the Year of the Yew

Noelanders Trophy award; Best of Show. A Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew) by Bonsai Museum Alcobendas. Can we assume that the artist is Luis Vallejo? It’s not really kosher to cut off part of pot, but who’s to complain? Bonsai Empire once again wins the award for fastest bonsai news scoop, and we’ll take what we can get. Gratefully. Up late last night* and now I’m trying to get out of town for a brief Montreal mid-winter epicurean extravaganza… so we’ll make this short. We have a Noelanders Trophy Best of Show Bonsai (actually there are two, but we’ll save the … Continue reading Trophy Time and the Year of the Yew

Francesco Santini, Seven Years Later

I found this gnarly old European yew (Taxus Baccata) on Francesco Santini’s website. We’ve been featuring yews a lot these days. They make excellent bonsai and there are countless old specimens in temperate zone gardens (and in the wild) in Europe, North American and elsewhere (not all are T baccata however, as there are several other species scattered around the world). It’s been a long time. Way back in February of 2010 we featured a couple trees that belong to Francesco Santini. Now, seven years on, he’s still at it and so are we. This time however, we’ll double down … Continue reading Francesco Santini, Seven Years Later

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

Windswept Deadwood?

Windswept deadwood? I don’t think I’ve ever seen deadwood quite like this. It’s those little spikes on the left that conjure wind or speed, but I think it must be something else. I wonder what natural forces would cause this. I like this tree. It’s over the top a bit, but real eye catcher and it’s easy to appreciate the work that went into it. Especially if you know just how hard Yew wood is. In this case it’s European yew (Taxus baccata). Sometimes called English yew, but considering that it grows over much of Europe and into western Asia, … Continue reading Windswept Deadwood?

When Was the Last Time You Saw a Trunk with so much Power and Character?

This has to be one of the most compelling bonsai I’ve seen in a while. It has that wild, not overly refined look and ‘just so’ deadwood (it’s not dominated by deadwood like so many trees). But the real deal is the trunk. When was the last time you saw a trunk with so much power and character? Hopelessly behind schedule with Thanksgiving and other family and friend obligations looming, not to mention my other job (Stone Lantern) and its daily demands… So to save precious time, we’re going to rerun a post on one of my all time favorite … Continue reading When Was the Last Time You Saw a Trunk with so much Power and Character?

Still Bonsai Crazy

After Uchi-san’s magic touch. Here’s what Mark Fields has to say about this tree: “Uchi-San just finished up styling the big taxus. It took about 16 hours to complete. Ready for the big show now! We know the pot is too big for the tree. We will repot in spring.” This post originally appeared in October, 2014. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tree styled like this one. But then, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a bonsai artist quite like Bonsai Crazy Uchi. Mark Fields is an American bonsai artist and owner of Bonsai By Fields in Greenwood … Continue reading Still Bonsai Crazy

Before & After – Refining a Very Compelling Bonsai

This has to be one of the most compelling bonsai I’ve seen in a while. It has that wild, not overly refined look and ‘just so’ deadwood (it’s not dominated by deadwood like so many trees). But the real deal is the trunk. When was the last time you saw a trunk with so much power and character? To save a little time, we’ll dig back into our archives today (I’m out west watching the grand kids while mom & dad attend the BookExpo America 2016 in Chicago and lunches still need to be made). BTW: this is one of … Continue reading Before & After – Refining a Very Compelling Bonsai