Bark

Great Trees, Great Shots

Sweet Yamadori Shimpaku. Originally from Japan (see text just below). The uncropped original is below. I just discovered a site that features near perfect photos of exceptional Bonsai. In this line of work, that’s a welcome combination. Their name is Bonsai Baison and their tag line is, “We Are the Best Quality Bonsai Importer from Japan” You can visit them on facebook and on their website. Our 2017 BONSAI CALENDARS ARE HERE! and it’s a great time to get yours with our… …20% to 25% off SITE WIDE SALE     Another sweet Shimpaku. Like the photo above, I cropped … Continue reading Great Trees, Great Shots

NEW Masters Bonsai Shears Ergonomically Designed by Robert Steven of the Highest Quality Stainless Steel

NEW Heavy Duty Masters Shears designed by Robert Steven of the highest quality stainless steel each in its own in Wooden Bamboo Box   These awesome NEW heavy duty stainless steel bonsai shears were designed by Robert Steven and produced to create a beautiful and superior ergonomic tool for the connoisseur of the finest tools for the best bonsai results. Every curve and detail on this powerful tool ensures comfort and durability as well as artistic beauty. To see it is to be delighted and to hold it and use it is to be doubly delighted. The material used is … Continue reading NEW Masters Bonsai Shears Ergonomically Designed by Robert Steven of the Highest Quality Stainless Steel

Bonsai Dreaming (on Such a Winter’s Day)

I’m guessing that this is a Mugo pine that was originally collected in the mountains of central Europe (the Alps?). It belongs to Mauro Stemberger, a long time favorite here on Bark. Gearing up for the big push (the whole year condenses to next three or four weeks), so we won’t spend too much time here. Just enough to brighten up your day (on this cold grey and snowy winter’s day) with three of our favorite Mauro Stemberger bonsai from his Italian Bonsai Dream website . And to remind you about Stone Lantern and our Site Wide Sale. Continued below… We … Continue reading Bonsai Dreaming (on Such a Winter’s Day)

Giving Thanks for Great Bonsai & Much More

This tree won First prize for the Finest Bonsai at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It’s a Mountain Hemlock,(Tsuga mertensiana) that belongs to Eric Schikowski. Photo courtesy of Bill Valavanis. It’s Thanksgiving today (U.S. American Thanksgiving that is, our friends just north of here celebrated theirs last month). I should be getting dressed and out the door, but before I go we’ll take a quick dip back into our archives. This one is from September. It was the first of many posts that were inspired by our 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. Seems appropriate to the occasion. Just home … Continue reading Giving Thanks for Great Bonsai & Much More

When Was the Last Time You Saw a Trunk with so much Power and Character?

This has to be one of the most compelling bonsai I’ve seen in a while. It has that wild, not overly refined look and ‘just so’ deadwood (it’s not dominated by deadwood like so many trees). But the real deal is the trunk. When was the last time you saw a trunk with so much power and character? Hopelessly behind schedule with Thanksgiving and other family and friend obligations looming, not to mention my other job (Stone Lantern) and its daily demands… So to save precious time, we’re going to rerun a post on one of my all time favorite … Continue reading When Was the Last Time You Saw a Trunk with so much Power and Character?

If You Want to Grow Bonsai Indoors, You’d Be Hard Pressed to Find Trees Better Suited than Ficus

This powerfully built gem is from Ficus, the Exotic Bonsai by Jerry Meislik. Our American (U.S. that is) Thanksgiving is this week, so I thought I’d resurrect a post on the topic from three years ago. I’m not flying anywhere this year, but does it really matter? I’m headed out again. Tomorrow will be another day spent in an airborne cattle car. Then Thanksgiving with family. I know there are some people who’d rather spend time in a cattle car than with family, but I like mine, so I guess I’m lucky. Though if someone is going to misbehave at … Continue reading If You Want to Grow Bonsai Indoors, You’d Be Hard Pressed to Find Trees Better Suited than Ficus

Contrasting Styles & a Bonsai that is Different from most of the Trees You See

Bonsai by Minh Hanh. I won’t bother to guess the variety. I know comparisons can be odious, but sometime contrasting things (bonsai in this case), without relying too much on value judgements, can help us see more clearly. In the 1980s Masahiko Kimura broke bonsai tradition with his outrageously sculptural deadwood that he carved with power tools. Looking back though, you can still see the influence of the Japanese bonsai aesthetic in everything he did. Continued below… SITE WIDE SALE Everything at Stone Lantern now 20% to 25% off* Including our NEW 2017 Calendars time to save and avoid mall … Continue reading Contrasting Styles & a Bonsai that is Different from most of the Trees You See

Brilliant Spring Color on a Snowy Winter Morning

Good snowy morning to you. Thought I’d remind you that spring is just around the corner (ha!) by showing you three Satsuki azaleas from our New 2017 Bonsai Calendar. There’s a lot more where these came from. Twenty six specimen quality Japanese bonsai to be exact. SITE WIDE SALE Everything at Stone Lantern now 20% to 25% off* Including our 2017 Calendars time to get a jump on December madness     20% to 25% off Site Wide Sale Bonsai Books make great gifts for any bonsai lover (including yourself) and now all books and everything* else are 20% to … Continue reading Brilliant Spring Color on a Snowy Winter Morning

NEW 2017 Bonsai Calendars Are Here!

Stunning 2017 Bonsai Calendars They’re here and they’re beautiful The best we’ve seen in years Enjoy 26 powerful Japanese bonsai while you check the date all year long on your beautiful new 2017 calendar Next year you can cut off the dates & enjoy beautiful wall hangings 30″ x 14″ – 13 pages – made in Japan Order yours now during our 20% to 25% off Site Wide Sale   It’s a perfect time for a SITE WIDE SALE Everything at Stone Lantern now 20% to 25% off* 20% off all orders from 1.00 to 99.99 25% off orders 100.00 … Continue reading NEW 2017 Bonsai Calendars Are Here!

Expertly Rendered & Beautiful

This drawing is by Michele Andolfo, as are the others in this post. We just gave you three straight brand new posts. Now I need to catch my breath and catch up with some new products (including several new Roshi bonsai tools) and as always, continue the heroic quest to subjugate the horrible email beast (100 plus emails a day can wear on you). Long story short, this post is from our archives. October, 2015. All the drawings shown here are from a program Michele Andolfo led in Quebec this year (last year). You can view more of these expertly … Continue reading Expertly Rendered & Beautiful