Styling

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

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

Larch Bonsai – Good Stock Never Hurts

Larches in training by Francois Jeker. Traveling again, so we’ll delve back into our archives. This one draws on material from three different posts. Larches are easy to grow (especially if you live in the north), easy to train and are naturally attractive trees. If you start with decent stock and you have some grasp of design and technique, you can end up with the kind of results you see above. This is not to say each tree couldn’t have been styled differently as they certainly could have. Give the same potential bonsai to five different bonsai artists and you’ll … Continue reading Larch Bonsai – Good Stock Never Hurts

Remembering When Isao’s House & Bonsai Were Washed Out to Sea

Sculpted swan with swooping lines. A work of abstract art. It’s an Itoigawa juniper that belongs to Isao Omachi. A little over five years ago, Isao Omachi’s house and bonsai were washed out to sea. Here’s what he wrote on the anniversary of that terrible day: “Today is 11th March. 5 years has passed since terrible earthquake in Japan. I never forget the day I lost everything. But I could resume my 2nd life thanks to my friend’s support. I can’t express my gratitude in the words. Now I go ahead step by step. Once again, Thank you everybody. I’m … Continue reading Remembering When Isao’s House & Bonsai Were Washed Out to Sea

Before & After – Refining a Very Compelling Bonsai

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? To save a little time, we’ll dig back into our archives today (I’m out west watching the grand kids while mom & dad attend the BookExpo America 2016 in Chicago and lunches still need to be made). BTW: this is one of … Continue reading Before & After – Refining a Very Compelling Bonsai

Olive Bonsai – Massive Trunks, Wild Trees

This European olive is a very substantial tree. But then, substantial European olives are quite common… though olives as substantial and developed as this one aren’t quite so common. Another foray into our archives. This one originally appeared December, 2013. It was titled ‘Wild Trees & Massive Trunks.’ All of the trees in this post are European olives. The photos are from José Gómez del Río on facebook.  Another rugged olive with a great trunk and a good pot choice too.   This wild unrefined look is typical of olives. As long as we’re on the subject of pots, you … Continue reading Olive Bonsai – Massive Trunks, Wild Trees

Whirlpool, Dancer & Other Magnificent Japanese White Pine Bonsai

Do you recognize this tree? We devoted a whole chapter to it in our Pine book (Jewel to Whirlpool). The artist is Tomio Yamada (at least at that time). It’s called Uzushio which as you might guess, means whirlpool. Like the other trees in this post, it resides at the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. It’s finally spring here in northern Vermont. In addition to bonsai,  I have a passion for landscaping and it’s time to mulch (we’ll cover the weeds that are already taking hold and see what happens). So to save some time and get back outside before the … Continue reading Whirlpool, Dancer & Other Magnificent Japanese White Pine Bonsai