World Class Bonsai Shear

Many people don’t know about Okatsune tools. Those that do, love them, though many of those people don’t know that Okatsune makes a bonsai shear. I’ve been using mine for over ten years and I’ve never had to sharpen them. To be sure I use other shears (it’s good to work with all the tools we sell), but I always return to my Okatsunes. This is a good time These Okatsune shears are discounted (really double discounted) right now. So are over 250 other items. Here’s another Okatsune shear that I use all the time. It’s a wonder for heavier … Continue reading World Class Bonsai Shear

Photo Art Contest: Entry #3

There was no description with Christian Hansen’s entry. The photo does speak for itself; still, it would be good to know what and where (though it’s true that I didn’t say anything about sending descriptions). The contest Here are the details. Don’t be shy. Stone Lantern

Whoops! Beech Not Birch

My Mistake. In the original post for the photo contest I labeled this partial tree Southern birch. Should be Southern beech (or Mountain beech?). Here’s what Richard Warner (it’s his photo) said about it: “Don’t know if this is really art but the framing came out nice. A photo of a Mountain Beech on the Routburn Track near Millford Sound ‘Lord of the Rings’ Country in New Zealand. Branch looks a little like a Dragon. (Southern Beech not Birch as the photo title incorrectly says).” I imagine those are beeches covering the hillside also. Reminder This photo is the inspiration … Continue reading Whoops! Beech Not Birch

Photo Art Contest: Entry #2

Here’s what Mike Viljak has to say about his entry: “I found this tiny ‘planting’ while poking around in a river bed in Wyoming, near the Tetons. I don’t know what type of plant it is, but I was more intrigued by its choice of a beautiful, yet tiny driftwood planter. I call it ‘Microsai’. Formal upright style perhaps? I like how the red stem pops out against the background, asserting its presence.” In case you’re not aware Here’s the first entry and the specifics. Now, let’s see yours.

Bonsai Art by Bonsai Art

Aha! Something new and different. I borrowed this exciting shot from Bonsai Art magazine. It’s a Chinese juniper ‘Itoigawa’ by Guido Braun. 12 inches high (30cm). Bonsai Art Magazine Every two months I get my copy of Bonsai Art Magazine in the mail and I’m never disappointed. In fact, I’m always delighted. So delighted that I’ll go out on a limb and say that it’s the most artistic, best designed bonsai magazine anywhere. That’s the good news. The bad news is that it’s only in German. Now to get them to publish an English edition. Here’s another highly creative bonsai … Continue reading Bonsai Art by Bonsai Art

Tax Us? Taxus? What About Yew?

This dynamic Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) with is fluid play of strikingly attractive dead and live wood, and its perfectly balanced foliage, is from cover of Bonsai Today issue 89. Unfortunately, the artist’s name was lost somewhere in translation. In praise of the under appreciated yew Bad puns aside, I feel like I’ve praised yew before (right here on Bonsai Bark), but can’t find it anywhere (I didn’t look all that hard). Anyway, at the risk of repeating myself, I like yews. For landscaping and for bonsai. Landscaping Yews are often over used in landscaping and as a result their … Continue reading Tax Us? Taxus? What About Yew?

Coming Soon: Field Grown Bonsai Stock

One little man made hill that serves as landscaping and as a growing bed for future bonsai. Coming soon I’ve started digging some of my field grown stuff and putting them in plastic containers. Soon we’ll start photographing and putting some up for sale. Larches and some others More than half of what I’ve been growing are larches that have been collected here in northern Vermont. All have been pruned some. Some has been wired and a few have even been carved. Most are not bonsai pot ready, but all have good potential. Stone Lantern When they are ready, I’ll … Continue reading Coming Soon: Field Grown Bonsai Stock

$100 Bonsai Art Photo Contest

This photo was sent to us by a friend down under (I’ve lost his name, so if you happen to be him, or know him, please let me know just found him: it’s Richard Warner of New Zealand and the tree is a Southern birch) is an example of a bonsai related photo (this one might be a bit of a stretch, but close enough). Bonsai (or at least tree) related photo contest When this mystery photo came, it triggered the idea of a bonsai art photography contest. What we’re looking for are photos that include bonsai (or trees suggestive … Continue reading $100 Bonsai Art Photo Contest

Larch Master Lenz

One of Nick Lenz’ famous larches as it appears in Wikipedia. A little Nick Yesterday, we featured a couple of Candy Shirley’s bonsai that I believe had their start with Nick Lenz, so this seems like a good time to offer a little more Nick for your enjoyment. The same tree: different angle, different time. Photo is from Nick’s book, Bonsai from the Wild (now on special at Stone Lantern).

Over on Stone Lantern…

Our best sale yet? Our most popular book has been reduced. This doesn’t make any sense; why reduce something that is selling so well? It says over 200 items have been reduced and that’s true. Actually more like 250. Some quite steeply. And, if you order over $100, you’ll get those dreaded (just kidding) double discounts.