Bark

Free, Unconstrained, Witty, Clever, Humorous & Unconventional

This elegant Bunjin style Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) won Finest Natural Bonsai award at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It belongs to John Jaramillo. With Bunjin (Literati) style bonsai a certain sensitivity is required. Anything even a little forced or overdone or unnatural in any way, just won’t do. Thus, in the case of this tree, the award for the Finest Natural Bonsai is spot on. Here’s a quote on Bunjin by the illustrious John Naka (from a 2015 Bark post) “… Its appearance should not be too serious nor easy, it should be free, unconstrained, witty, clever, humorous … Continue reading Free, Unconstrained, Witty, Clever, Humorous & Unconventional

A Prize Winning Classically Styled Japanese Red Pine

This slanting Japanese Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) won the Finest classical Bonsai award at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It belongs to Gary Gunrow. Oscar Jonker’s original photo of the whole display is below. Slanting bonsai aren’t all that common. Especially ones like this Japanese red pine, where the entire crown is so far from being centered over the pot. What often amazes me about this style, is how the good ones (like this one) maintain the feeling of balance. In this case, I think it’s the trunk’s heavy base and nebari that provide a sense of stability. The … Continue reading A Prize Winning Classically Styled Japanese Red Pine

Michael Hagedorn’s Prize Winning Mountain Hemlock

Michael Hagedorn’s Mountain Hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), winner of the Finest Evergreen Bonsai at the recent 5 U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. You might notice the absence of a pot or even your basic bonsai slab (that’s a thin synthetic sheet of some sort that it’s sitting on). This photo is from Michael’s website (see below for Oscar Jonker’s Exhibition photo). I’m a big fan of Michael Hagedorn’s bonsai. I think this comes from observing Michael at work (a couple years ago I spent five days studying with Michael) and from taking the time to look closely at his trees. If I … Continue reading Michael Hagedorn’s Prize Winning Mountain Hemlock

Natural Simplicity – Prize Winning White Birch Bonsai

This European White Birch (Betula alba) in all its natural simplicity (and in its great pot) is the winner of the Finest deciduous Bonsai award at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exibition. It belongs to Dennis Vojtilla. Though birch are ubiquitous in most cold climate regions of North America and the rest of the Northern Hemispere, you see surprisingly few birch bonsai. And even fewer good birch bonsai. I think part of the problem is birch aren’t all that easy to collect and keep healthy. They are relative short lived and prone to insects and disease and though they have … Continue reading Natural Simplicity – Prize Winning White Birch Bonsai

Another Great Bonsai Winner

American Bonsai Society Award winner. Another Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea Pungens). This one belongs to Todd Schlafer. Though it has several noteworthy features, one that might catch your eye is the piece of ‘trunk’ lying across the surface of the soil. I wonder if it was the original trunk that fell over and rooted long ago and that what is now the trunk started its life as a branch. This is of course speculation. What isn’t speculation is the tree’s age, as expressed by the bark and it’s rugged natural beauty. Continuing our journey through the winners of the 5th … Continue reading Another Great Bonsai Winner

A Regal Bonsai & a Simple Wonder of Subtle Complexity

Finest Tropical Bonsai & Finest Accent Plant. The tree is a Tiger bark Ficus (Ficus microcarpa) by Hoe Chuah. I’ve cropped this lead photo to show just the tree (a photo showing Soon Chuah’s companion is just below and a photo of the tree with the companion is below that). The first three photos in this post are from Bonsai Empire. A family that does bonsai (and companions) together, wins together. Hoe and Soon Chuah were double winners at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. Hoe’s Ficus is a strong and perfectly well-balanced, even regal bonsai, and Soon’s companion is … Continue reading A Regal Bonsai & a Simple Wonder of Subtle Complexity

A Prize Winning Bonsai & a Superstar Bonsai Teacher

Boon Manakitivipart’s Itoigawa Sargent Juniper that won the Finest Medium Size Bonsai award at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. Here’s a tree you couldn’t miss. It stood as a lone bonsai at the edge of the suiseki section. A magnetizing presence, visible from a distance. A prime spot for a prime tree. The more I look at this tree, the more I like it. But rather than go into specifics (we’ll leave that to you), I’ll just relate a quick story…. While I was admiring this tree, Boon, the artist himself, walked by. I said something like ‘great tree, … Continue reading A Prize Winning Bonsai & a Superstar Bonsai Teacher

A Powerful Colorado Blue Spruce Bonsai & Its Story of Age & Hardship

This gnarled old Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) won the prize for the Finest All American composition at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It belongs to Jason Eider. I borrowed the photos shown here from Oscar of Bonsai Empire. Moving along with our leisurely journey through the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition’s prize winning bonsai. Continued below…. A quick reminder about our 20% to 30% off Site Wide Sale 20% to 30% off includes everything* we offer including our vast selection of Bonsai Tools   The powerful old shari with its marks of age and abuse. I almost walked by … Continue reading A Powerful Colorado Blue Spruce Bonsai & Its Story of Age & Hardship

A Dynamic Masterpiece by a Great Bonsai Artist

Finest Japanese Bonsai display. Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) by Suthin Sukolosovisit. I’m not sure what makes this rugged rock root-on-rock planting a Japanese Bonsai display. I am sure however, that it is a magnificent bonsai by one of our greatest bonsai artists. But then, those of us who have been paying attention, have come to expect masterpieces like this from Suthin.* I borrowed this photo from Oscar at Bonsai Empire.** Today I’d like to show you the winner of the prize for the Finest Japanese Bonsai display at the just completed 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It belongs to … Continue reading A Dynamic Masterpiece by a Great Bonsai Artist

The 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition – Great Trees, Good People & the Real Winner Behind It All

First prize, 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. Before we present the rest of the prize winning bonsai, I’d like to say something about first impressions and most importantly, the real winner of the Show, Bill Valavanis. Just home from the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition and sorting through memories and notes while flashing mental images of great trees, good people and a still palpable sense of excitement. It will take a while to sort things out, so more to come… … Continue reading The 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition – Great Trees, Good People & the Real Winner Behind It All