Running Wild in Japan

Recognize this trunk? It’s a piece of a famous bonsai (see below). Bill Valavanis took this photo just a couple days ago. I cropped it just a bit for a closer look Bill and his camera are running wild in Japan. We left him at Kimura’s nursery yesterday, so we’ll continue with a couple shots he took of a famous Kimura Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora), and a photo of the same tree from the last century (not taken by Bill) NEW 20% OFF SITE WIDE SALE at STONE LANTERN SEE BELOW – Bill’s shot of the whole tree Here’s a photo of the same … Continue reading Running Wild in Japan

The Magician Playing with Bonsai

This rock forest is by the Magician, Masahiko Kimura. A master of the art of bonsai, professionally and at play Bill Valavanis is in Japan again and we’re all the better for it. Especially if  you like a steady stream of great bonsai photos. In fact, I wouldn’t be offended if you just skipped out and headed over to Bill’s blog (after you take note of our book special). Meanwhile, if you’re still here, today it’s Kimura at play. Here’s a quote from Bill… “Our first stop was the bonsai garden of Masahiko Kimura, The Magician. I immediately noticed the increased number of tall rock plantings he created … Continue reading The Magician Playing with Bonsai

Rough & Rugged Old Bonsai – Two Day Book Special

This rugged old tree starkly contrasts with the way it’s presented; the professional studio photo, the quality stand and pot cleaned and oiled to perfection. As you can see, it’s a pine. I won’t bother to guess the variety, but here’s where I found it and here’s the caption… Nippon Bonsai Sakka Kyookai Europe España a SAKKA TEN 2012 – PEÑISCOLA. Fotos de estudio realizadas por Alex Espuny (Studio Photos by Alex Espuny). I’m mesmerized by this tree’s rugged, natural look. So even though we’ve shown it before (with two more photos today), I’m going to ask you to indulge me in a second time NEW 2 DAY … Continue reading Rough & Rugged Old Bonsai – Two Day Book Special

Bonsai, Babies & Roshi Tools

Three photos of the same tree at different times. I think it’s probably the same baby too. No identification of the tree is given, but it looks a lot like a Japanese beech I try to focus on bonsai and stay away from babies and kittens (here on Bark at least), but for some reason I couldn’t pass this one up (it helps that the tree is magnificent). The babies and the photos below were posted by Matthijs Hartjes, a Bonsai Bark first timer ROSHI TOOL SPECIAL ENDS TOMORROW NIGHT  30% OFF see below – Japanese maple for sure, but no variety is given … Continue reading Bonsai, Babies & Roshi Tools

Bonsai Solstice

“A Bonsai Solstice’ is back! Bring your family & friends, take time for reflection, and enjoy the magic of bonsai by twinkle-lights“ 5th Annual ‘A Bonsai Solstice’ This looks great. If I were driving distance from the Pacific Bonsai Museum I’d put it on my calendar. Fortunately this is not the only opportunity. The Museum is also a delight in daylight, just in case you haven’t had the pleasure. If you’d like more information, here’s their website and here they are on fb The following is from the Museum’s fb timeline… “BYOF (Bring-Your-Own-Flashlight or phone flashlight :)) to explore the bonsai by … Continue reading Bonsai Solstice

Natives Is Here! Brilliant & Unique, Bonsai at Its Best

We’ve all waited long enough and now the Pacific Bonsai Museum’s Natives is here. We’ve featured some photos in the past, but now we’ve got the real thing. One hundred and five mind stopping pages. Now available at Stone Lantern Here’s the Museum’s description… “As artistic representations of trees, bonsai are collected from the wild to be cultivated as works of art. While the natural forces that shaped the tree are visibly echoed in its trunk and branches, the direct link between a bonsai and its native habitat has been lost. By displaying a tree with a portrait of its … Continue reading Natives Is Here! Brilliant & Unique, Bonsai at Its Best

Before & After Bonsai – Tie Pot Special Ends Tonight

Before and after by Koji Hiramatsu. No species is mentioned, but given that Koji lives in Japan and that the tree looks like a Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii), that’s probably a good guess. Though I have been fooled by Japanese red pines (Pinus densiflora), another two needle pine We’ve featured Koji Hiramatsu several times over the last couple years, though mostly his Shohin bonsai (here’s our first and my favorite Koji post), though lately  I’m seeing more larger trees and fewer shohin on his fb posts. Either way, big or small, Koji is always worth a visit 30% OFF HAWS WATERING CANS ends tomorrow, Thursday … Continue reading Before & After Bonsai – Tie Pot Special Ends Tonight

Snow Shoes & Bonsai

One American larch, four pots (plus the original pot below). All this images in this post were borrowed from Boon Manakitivipart (the image above is a composite that we put together). Boon is at it again. This time it’s our prized local larch (Larix laricina). Around here we call it Tamarack (the Algonquian name that means “wood used for snowshoes”). No matter what you call it, it is in my opinion, by far the best local wild species for bonsai. Bar none. This is one of several Which pot do you prefer? posts that were pieced together from Boon’s facebook posts. … Continue reading Snow Shoes & Bonsai

They’re Back & Discounted! Green T Turntables

A brilliant Trident maple bonsai resting regally on its Green T Hydraulic Lift Turntable this photo is cropped to fit on social media the original showing the full Green T is just below Order your Green T by Thanksgiving and receive a FREE 2019 Bonsai Calendar – The original photo Perfection. A brilliant Trident maple bonsai on a brilliant Green T Plus Hydraulic Lift Turntable for more information on this tree and others shown here see* below GREEN T BASIC YOU PAY ONLY 345.00 list price 385.00 – Special 345.00 FREE Shipping in the Continental U.S. – GREEN T PLUS YOU PAY ONLY 445.00 list … Continue reading They’re Back & Discounted! Green T Turntables

“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days”

Mariusz Komstra’s Sumac showing off its fall color. Sumac are everywhere here in northern Vermont, including outside my window and this is exactly how they look. Well, not exactly… they’re much bigger and growing in the ground. l don’t know anything about the scroll, except that it’s beautiful and works with the tree. I cropped the photo just a bit for a closer look. Mariusz’ original is below Mariusz Janusz Komsta is celebrating autumn with these photos and this quote by  John Burroughs…”How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days” NEW 30% OFF … Continue reading “How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days”