In addition a one of the most perfectly developed crowns you'll ever see, with its amazing profusion of tiny leaves; this Zelkova provides an excellent example of trunk and surface root (nebari) development. Neither are overstated; providing a welcome relief from overdeveloped trunk taper and nebari that you sometimes see (especially on maples*). But then, you might expect perfection from this tree, it's from the Grand Master Saburo Kato's collection (Mr Kato is the author of the famous book, Forest, Rock Planting & Ezo Spruce Bonsai).
Off to the big city today (Burlington Vermont) and no time to put together a new post, so we’ll borrow one from our vast archival warehouse. This shorter than usual post (from April, 2012) was originally titled ‘Growing Better Roots and Trunks.’
The photo above is from a series of photos on Morten Albek’s Shohin-Europe website, titled Mansei-en 2011. Mansei-en is the name of Saburo Kato’s bonsai garden and Morten Albek is the author of Majesty in Miniature. Mr. Kato died in 2008 (Phoenix Bonsai has an excellent biography). Morten is, as far as I know, alive and well in Denmark .
Morten Albek has posted a practical guide to growing better roots and trunks. It’s for Shohin bonsai, but you can apply the techniques to larger trees as well.
One of a series of photos by Morten Albek on growing better shohin roots and trunk.
Added value. This mixed forest photo did not appear in the original post. It's from Saburo Kato's aforementioned Forest, Rock Planting & Ezo Spruce Bonsai.
The book. Forest, Rock Planting & Ezo Spruce Bonsai. Available at Stone Lantern (the time is right with our 20% to 30% off Site Wide Sale).
Morten Albek's excellent Shohin book. Also Available at Stone Lantern (the time is still right with our 20% to 30% off Site Wide Sale).
* Comparing a broom style Zelkova with heavily tapered and nebaried maples is a bit like comparing apples and oranges.
I read the story of KATO, So interesting! Thank You!