Dazzling deadwood. I think I see a live vein on the left edge of the trunk. Otherwise, this spectacular old specimen is a study in deadwood (with a little rebar thrown into the mix). It's a Rocky Mountain juniper. The artist and owner is Ryan Neil, Bonsai Mirai. The tree was originally collected by Andy Smith of Golden Arrow Bonsai (Stone Lantern offers Andy's excellent DVD on collecting bonsai). Intenational Bonsai Mirai has a great little back story on this intriguing old tree.
This post originally appeared here in January, 2012. A lot has changed and a lot remains more or less the same. One of the biggest changes as it relates to bonsai collected in the western U.S. was the Artisans Cup, where so many remarkable trees were gathered in one place (the Portland Art Museum). When it comes to remaining the same, what we said back in 2012 still holds (see below).
Every time I visit Ryan Neil’s Bonsai Mirai website something new and exciting turns up. In my estimation, Ryan could quit right now and still be considered major contributor to North American bonsai (and beyond). But Ryan isn’t quitting (and he’s young), so we can expect more daring high quality bonsai for a long time.
I don’t know how many of us fully appreciate the quality of bonsai material coming out of the Rocky Mountains (and other notable western mountains). I suspect the surface has barely been scratched (so to speak) and with a little intelligence and restraint, that the supply could last for our grandchildren’s grandchildren (and so on) without any serious risk to numbers or to the environment. At least I hope this is the case.
In this vein, I think Andy Smith’s most excellent DVD on collecting provides some very intelligent guidelines on how to make this happen. If you combine Andy’s gentle wisdom with the deep and detailed knowledge of Larch Master Nick Lenz’ Bonsai from the Wild (out of print for now), you’re off to a very good start on the subject collecting.
All three of the Rocky Mountain junipers in this post belong to Ryan Neil. This one was collected in 2008 by Randy Knight of Oregon Bonsai.
This one was also collected in 2008 by Randy Knight.
As long we’re talking about Junipers
Our 20% to 25% off Site Wide Sale*
includes all of our large selection of Bonsai Books
and of course our Masters Series Juniper Book
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our Green T Turntable & Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees