Buttonwood by Ed Trout. The photo is from The Art of Bonsai Project. *
I’m headed out for a brief Independence Day respite, so we’ll take the easy way out and plunder our archives once again. This one is from August 2011 (assuming we haven’t reposted it since then – there’s this issue with memory). I can think of two good reasons to choose it: 1. It’s tropical and it feels like the tropics lately here in northern Vermont where extended hot weather is rare indeed, and 2. Buttonwoods are an American tree and the most American of holidays is in two days (not wanting to offend our neighbors and recognizing of course, that there other countries the Americas, here we are referring to U.S.A).
Our own amazing tropical bonsai
We’ve featured a lot of collected tropicals from Indonesia and vicinity. Much of this has to do with our connection with Robert Steven (Mr. High Energy Bonsai), one of the world’s foremost bonsai artists, authors, collectors and teachers. It also has to do with the fact that so many of the collected trees (mostly Premna and Pemphis) from that part of the world are so amazing. Now it’s time to feature some of our very own amazing collected tropical bonsai. Which brings us to Buttonwoods.
Buttonwood care
There’s lots of information on the web about buttonwoods and particularly their care (they have their very specific needs). Two good places to start are: Of Bonsai Magazine and Bonsai Mary’s. Meanwhile, we’ve gathered a few photos for your to enjoy.
I found this monster by Jim Smith in the Of Bonsai Magazine. I couldn’t find any dimensions, but the article on Buttonwoods that accompanies the photo is very thorough. BTW: Jim Smith is the original American tropical bonsai guru. Jim’s nursery (Dura-Stone) is in Vero Beach, Florida.
Mother Nature’s handiwork, with a little help from Robert Kempinski. From the Art of Bonsai Project.
This wild unique tree could only be a buttonwood. Also by Robert Kempinski from the Art of Bonsai Project.
They aren’t all small enough for bonsai. This photo is from Bonsai Mary’s website.
Roshi Tool Sale 10% to 30% off. It turns out that our Roshi Tools work every bit as well on Tropicals as they do on other bonsai.
*The sad news about the beautiful Buttonwood at the top of the post is that it was stolen in 2008, and as far as I know, was never recovered.