This tree isn’t exactly eccentric. Just powerful, handsome and unique. It’s by Budi Sulistyo and graces the cover of his excellent tropical bonsai gallery book (you can see the whole cover below).
Such a contrast
I think this next tree (below), also by Budi, falls into the eccentric category.
This ficus microcarpa by Budi Sulisyo from an album entitled ‘Stone Pot’.
What’s with this tree?
This tree falls short of some of Budi’s other trees. I imagine he posted it to show trees in stone pots. Or just to break with convention or maybe to encourage those of us who aren’t big time bonsai artists to not be afraid to show our trees.
Redeeming features
First, it is eccentric and that’s what this series is about. Second, the trunk is heavy and has some movement and character. Third, the leaves are well developed, fairly small and healthy looking. Fourth, there looks to be a pretty good nebari, but it’s hard to tell in the photo.
Not so redeeming features
First, I think there are too many branches. They detract from the movement of the trunk and clutter up the tree. Second, there are too many visible scars and they look like sores. Third, you can see wire scars. Forth, the tree looks a little cramped in the pot and the pot looks a little unbalanced on the stand. That’s enough for now.
No criminal charges will be filed
The comments above are just a few quick impressions. I have too much respect for Budi to simply dismiss anything he does, let alone file criminal charges.
Here’s the whole cover of Budi’s book. It features some of best tropical bonsai anywhere by some serious bonsai heavy weights (including Budi and Robert Steven, author of Mission of Transformation and Vision of My Soul) from Asia and beyond.
Pirates
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Agree with your comments on Ficus Microcarpa. I like it-unique. Looks like he air-layered top of a medium size tree(or just cut it off and it rooted on bottom. That scar on first branch on left could be reduced with simple concave cutter on underside.
The cover bonsai is one of those trees I would have probably worked to death trying to “make it right”. Glad Budi styled it instead of me! Wow.
As to the Ficus … well, I don’t know, definitely eccentric.
Looking forward to my copy of this book. Have a feeling it will force me to create a ‘book review’ page.
Thanks Dustin,
Yeah, it could be an air-layer. I suspect Budi has only accomplished part of what he wants to do with this tree. Definitely has some potential.