Bark

You Cut That Off and You lose the Soul of the Tree

“In Japan, I’m sure they would say this is not bonsai and cut this very long branch off,” says (Ryan) Neil. “But when I purchased this piece of material (Ponderosa pine), the only thing I could think is: man, how could you take this wild, undulating branch that — although it may sit outside of the dimensions of what the Japanese model says makes a bonsai — you cut that off and you lose the soul of the tree. So I think what makes the American style special is preserving the wildness and resisting the temptation to domesticate it.” From … Continue reading You Cut That Off and You lose the Soul of the Tree

Bonsai by Fields

Like most people, I’m a sucker for showy flowers (subtle flowers too, but that’s for another time). On bonsai and everywhere else. In this case it’s a very showy Azalea bonsai that belongs to Mark Fields. Often azaleas and flowering bonsai are designed to show off the flowers, and though you’d have to ask Mark to be sure, I suspect that was his intention. I found the three trees shown here on Mark Field’s facebook feed. There are some other good ones that are definitely worth a click, but rather than show them all, we’ll just whet your appetite. Mark’s … Continue reading Bonsai by Fields

American Bonsai, The Unbridled Art of Ryan Neil at the Portland Japanese Garden

I’ve never seen a bonsai displayed like this. Not even in my imagination, and my guess is the same goes for you (unless you happen to be Ryan Neil). This photo is from a show at the Portland Japanese Garden titled American Bonsai, The Unbridled Art of Ryan Neil. We’ve featured the bonsai of Ryan Neil numerous times here on Bark. But never quite like this (though Ryan’s Artisans Cup does share some of the same revolutionary vision). I won’t say much more except to encourage you to visit the Portland Japanese Garden (if geography puts a crimp in that … Continue reading American Bonsai, The Unbridled Art of Ryan Neil at the Portland Japanese Garden

FREE Bonsai Wire & Three Great Sales

FREE Bonsai Wire With any Stone Lantern order of 10.00 or more if you write FREE in the comments box when you check out We’ve got plenty of 100 gram rolls in stock, so why not? Order now for you FREE wire take advantage of current sales and discounted items and receive your FREE wire don’t forget to write FREE in the comments box when you check out The Details… Orders from 10 to 19.99 will receive 100 grams of FREE wire. Orders from 20.00 to 29.99 will receive 200 grams Orders from 30.00 to 39.99 will receive 300 grams…. … Continue reading FREE Bonsai Wire & Three Great Sales

Hamisu: Misting Bonsai on Hot Summer Days

This wild & wonderful cascading Rocky mountain juniper is from Michael Hagedorn’s latest post on Crataegus Bonsai. Clearly there’s more to do, but even as is, it’s an exciting bonsai. The text below is from a 2010 post we borrowed from Michael Hagedorn on summer misting. In addition being a highly accomplished bonsai artist, Michael is a great teacher, with a wealth of bonsai knowledge almost unrivaled in the West. If you’d like to learn more than you ever imagined about bonsai, you’d be well served to visit Michael’s Crataegus Bonsai. Here’s the original in Michael’s own words: “Last summer … Continue reading Hamisu: Misting Bonsai on Hot Summer Days

Bonsai Book & Wire Sales End Tonight

Norway spruce (Picea abies) by Francois Jeker. From the first volume of Bonsai Aesthetics. Now 25% off at Stone Lantern. Three great sales end tonight at 11:59pm EDT 25% Bonsai books and other books 25% off 500 gram Bonsai Aesthetics Wire 20% off annealed Copper Bonsai Wire plus FREE Shipping on U.S. orders 50.00 or more 25% off 500 gram rolls of Bonsai Aesthetics Wire 20% off U.S. manufactured Copper Bonsai Wire these sales end tonight at 11:59pm EDT   And just in case you are wondering; yes, we do offer a whole range of Japanese garden books and some … Continue reading Bonsai Book & Wire Sales End Tonight

Suthin’s Stupendous Bonsai Sale

This massive Trident maple is one of approximately 200 bonsai offered at Suthin Sukosolivisit’s upcoming Private Collection Sales Event. First a disclaimer. We get nothing for promoting Suthin’s ( or anyone’s) bonsai sales or other events. Just an occasional thank you. But that’s enough. We’re happy to do it and we’re promoting our own business at the same time (Bonsai Book Sale and Wire Sales end tonight), so we’re okay with the arrangement. We’ll just show you a handful of photos of bonsai for sale at Suthin’s upcoming event (June 25 & 26) and encourage you to take a look … Continue reading Suthin’s Stupendous Bonsai Sale

Quiet Dignity – Formal Upright Bonsai

This Cryptomeria japonica is reminiscent of the unimaginably vast and towering Giant sequoias in California’s Sierra Nevada. This effect could be enhanced by photographing it from a little lower (see the photo below), but you still get the drift. Back very late last night from vacation, so we’ll revisit our archives one more time. This one was originally titled Quiet Dignity (July, 2011). What great trees. The one above is from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai. You seldom see a real good formal upright bonsai and you don’t see many good Cryptomeria bonsai either. Especially in the West (as you might … Continue reading Quiet Dignity – Formal Upright Bonsai

Pine Boom again

This gnarly old Mugo pine belongs to Walter Pall. It’s no doubt a yamadori (bonsai collected from the wild). Perhaps from the Alps? Yesterday was Walter Pall. Today it’s pines, two of which belong to Walter. This post originally appeared here on Bark in September, 2012. As far as I know, there is no Pine Boom. I was trying to type Pine Book as a filler until a more suitable name for this post came to me. Then, a simple typo, and now it’s Pine Boom. Anyway, I’m trying to pull myself to together to catch a plane, so, quickly, … Continue reading Pine Boom again

Getting Out of the Way & Extending Our Bonsai Book Sale

This Ponderosa pine was no doubt collected somewhere in western North America and exported to Europe. Europeans are lucky in that regard; it’s relatively easy for them to import plants from around the world. Here in the U.S. restrictions are much more onerous. The tree belongs to (or belonged to?) Walter Pall. The photo is from The Art of Bonsai Project, as are all the photos in this post. We’ve decided to extend our Bonsai Book Sale until Sunday (see below). This is because I’m traveling and can’t find the time (don’t want to be bothered) to make the decisions … Continue reading Getting Out of the Way & Extending Our Bonsai Book Sale