Strange as this magnificent old tree is, it all works together to with a perfect blend of eccentricity and balance. But the nebari? That takes some getting use to. (This photo and the others in this post are from Peter Tea Bonsai.)
A good place to start resurrecting
Way back in 2009 and early 2010 we ran a series of posts that we called Eccentric Bonsai (here’s the last one). Maybe it’s time to resurrect the series. If so, this absolutely unique Trident maple seems like a good place to start.
Borrowing from Peter…
As you may have noticed, we’ve featured several posts from Peter Tea’s blog lately (Peter is an apprentice at Mr. Junichiro Tanaka’s Aichi-en bonsai nursery). Peter takes good photos, writes with a fresh perspective, and knows something about bonsai. To an old editor and bonsai enthusiasts, that’s an unbeatable combination.
Here’s that nebari, and here’s what Peter has to say about it: “A close up of the root spread. Even the root spread of this tree is strange. Answer me this, would a more natural radial root base go well with the rest of the tree? or vise versa? My first impression of this root base was, “what is this?” When I looked at the overall tree again this root spread turned out to be so right for this tree (there is an important lesson to learn here). If you don’t believe me, look at the picture of the front of the tree again. ;o).”
A profusion of very small, very colorful fall leaves almost completely cover the tree’s eccentric nature.
Interesting tree! Very much an individual; if it were human it would unapologetically eccentric. (My type of person.)
As for the nebari: with this tree, taken as a part of the whole image, and after 2 or 3 looks, yes, it works. I can’t imagine another tree with which it would work, but with this one it does, in my opinion.
Thanks for posting this!
Wow, the ramification is amazing. The nebari looks like you laid ginger roots at the base. It looks kind of like street tree roots that have been sequestered in a square of concrete. Not your “regular” tree, I love it! Thanks – something really different!
Thanks Steve,
I agree it’s hard to imagine another tree with this nebari.
Hi Owen,
Yes. Ginger root is a pretty good description. A street tree grown inside a concrete square works too.
Nice job. The branch ramification is excellent, as is the pot choice. This tree is unique. How often do we see trees with a naturalistic “personality”. It also does evoke a feeling of curiousity and a story. Isn’t that a goal of art?
Thanks Michael M
Yeah. Agreed, especially about the value of a story and curiousity.
This is, in fact an excentric tree.
Can’t decide if I love it or don’t like it at all, but it’s part of his uniqueness.
Great post,
Regards,
Hi Luis,
Yeah. That’s good, no? It provokes something. And why decide anyway? It might be better to just be inquisitive.