Wouldn’t you like to find a tree like this when you are out collecting? This is a cropped version of Autumn, by Giacomo Pappalardo. From his facebook wall photos. I assume it is Giacomo’s, though I find no mention of it anywhere; just the photo.
A trunk with everything
This funky (in the good sense) trunk has everything: shape, massive girth, aged bark, a natural looking hollow (sabamiki) and a perfect touch of deadwood. Though you could make an argument for hiding some of the trunk’s heaviness near the top (the dark hole above the jin), I imagine Giacomo decided to show it because it expresses even more of the tree’s age and character.
The uncropped original.
Suspiciously like a larch
Giacomo doesn’t say, but this gloriously aged, powerful little tree looks suspiciously like a larch. What other conifer has fall color (yellow no less)? And larch bark? I wonder which larch it is? European (Larix decidua)? Giacomo lives in Spain. Or maybe Japanese (L. kaempferi)? I imagine some Japanese larch have found their way to Europe, though this one definitely looks like a yamadori (collected in nature), so it’s more likely local. Anyone out there know more about this tree? Anyone care?
Though it’s not just about larches (that’s a Northern white cedar on the cover), still, this is the ultimate larch book, by the Larch Master, Nick Lenz. Available at Stone Lantern (discounted, no less).
Gorgeous little tree. It’s absolutely a larch because of the way the needles grow.
Thank you for all your fascinating posts….so it’s comforting to know that you also have to take care of some of the basics (ie. wood splitting, stacking, leaves, getting ready for winter…..!)
Really do appreciate all your attempts to display bonsai………David
Hi David,
Thank you for you kind words.