Bonsai Stories

Here’s what Michael Hagedorn (Crataegus Bonsai) wrote about this tree… “Ponderosa Pine collected by the Backcountry Bonsai guys, styled years ago in a Seasonal class. Much of the deadwood was hiding under bark and was created courtesy of borers of the Rocky Mountains. We’ve written them a thank you note but the posting address was a bit vague.” A little information can enrich our appreciation of any bonsai. Every tree has a story. Some have engaging stories, like the one above (a good story teller is always a plus), with a lot of information packed into about fifty words and a touch of … Continue reading Bonsai Stories

Festive Bonsai

I don’t know if you’d call this tree festive, but it has a bright spirited quality. It’s an English yew (Taxus Baccata) by Stefano Frisoni from Italy I just spent 30 mins cruising fb looking for a Christmas decorated bonsai to feature, but came up blank. I did find this in our archives. It has a bit of Holiday flavor and I like it, so why not? Continued below… Roshi Bonsai Tools 30% off Plus and extra 10% off on orders 150.00 or more Roshi Tools are famous for precision, durability, beauty & reasonable prices this special ends Dec 26th at 11:59pm … Continue reading Festive Bonsai

Happy Bonsai Holidays – Merry Bonsai Christmas

Though most Christmas trees have their charm and some are genuine works of art, this one by Nacho Marin has to be one of the best we’ve seen Peace on earth and goodwill to you, your loved ones and everyone else on this lovely troubled planet. This is not the first time we’ve shown this bonsai Christmas tree by Nacho Marin (2013 was first), but until we find one we like more, it won’t be the last NEW SPECIALS at STONE LANTERN SEE BELOW we’re done shipping on time for Christmas but that doesn’t mean we’re done for the Holidays Just before and just after. … Continue reading Happy Bonsai Holidays – Merry Bonsai Christmas

A Green T Under Your Tree

It’s not too late to wake up to a Green T under your tree GREEN T turntables ARE NOW 20% OFF WITH OUR SITE WIDE SALE Everything Else Is Also 20% off Including items that are already discounted Orders placed by 2:00pm EST will be shipped the same business day discounts are computed at checkout Brilliant Trident maple and Green T Plus A Basic Green T with the handsome new green rim – HERE’S A RESOUNDING GREEN T ENDORSEMENT BY FOUR KIMURA APPRENTICES Four Kimura apprentices with bonsai and Green Ts Holm oak with sabamiki, Green T and tools STONE LANTERN’S 20% OFF SITE WIDE … Continue reading A Green T Under Your Tree

Japanese White Pines at Kokufu

Close up of multiple trunk Japanese white pine. It looks a lot like a raft style* planting. This and the other photos shown here were taken at the Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition. I cropped the original shot (just below) for a closer look We’ve got some Japanese white pines (Pinus parviflora) from the Kokufu Exhibition that we found at Kazumatsu Bonsai. They don’t say what year the shots are from, but given that they were just posted, you might guess 2018 Just in case you’re new to bonsai, Kokufu is the oldest and most famous Bonsai Exhibition in the world. It takes place … Continue reading Japanese White Pines at Kokufu

Imperial Bonsai in Training for 220 Years

Here it is. It’s a Pinus densiflora (Japanese Red Pine) that was donated to the U.S. National Bonsai and Penjing Museum by The Imperial Household of Japan. It has been in training since 1795. My apologies for the fuzz. I cropped the original photo (from 2010, see below) for a closer look at the texture on the trunk The Japanese Collection. It’s right here in North America and it’s one of the best bonsai collections outside of Japan. Here’s an excerpt from the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum’s website… “The Japanese Collection began with the gift of 53 bonsai from Japan on … Continue reading Imperial Bonsai in Training for 220 Years

Two Legged Juniper – Before & After

Sierra juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), before and after by Bonsai Mike. You can see the potential peeking out underneath the foliage in the before shot. Still, an impressive transformation Today’s tree belongs to Bonsai Mike, a first timer here on Bark (as distinguished from Michael Bonsai, who has appeared here numerous times). Here’s what Mike wrote about this old yamadori juniper… “One of my best trees. I collected this Sierra in 2011. It has gone through 3 stylings since then and keeps improving. The foliage is getting a little heavy now. In order to show greater age, some branches must be removed in … Continue reading Two Legged Juniper – Before & After

Bonsai Essentials Site Wide Special Ends Tonight

STONE LANTERN’S 20% OFF SITE WIDE SALE MEANS DOUBLE DISCOUNTS* *ON OUR ITEMS THAT ARE ALREADY ON SALE AND A MINIMUM OF 20% OFF ON EVERYTHING ELSE THIS great SPECIAL ENDS WEDNESDAY, NOV 28TH AT 11:59PM EST — All of our large selection of Bonsai Books are at least 20% off Most are double discounted All of our large selection of Bonsai Tool Kits are also Double Discounted This is the first time we’ve offered 20% off on our Hydraulic Lift Green T Turntables Now is the time to stock up on Bonsai Wire – 20% DISCOUNT WILL BE DEDUCTED WHEN YOU … Continue reading Bonsai Essentials Site Wide Special Ends Tonight

Great Pots Deserve Great Trees

Barbados cherry (Malpigia glabra) by Hsieh, Cheng-Hua These three magnificent trees with their equally magnificent pots are from the 2008 Taiwan Bonsai Creators Exhibition booklet which appears on Bonsai Shari Si-Diao, Cheng, Cheng-Kung’s website. All three photo originally appeared her in April, 2011 20% OFF SITE WIDE SALE at STONE LANTERN SEE BELOW – Ficus microcarpa by Huang,Ching-Chi. Variety unlisted. By Tung, Wen Chi 20% OFF SITE WIDE SALE OUR 20% OFF SITE WIDE SALE MEANS DOUBLE DISCOUNTS ON ITEMS THAT ARE ALREADY ON SALE AND 20% OFF ON EVERYTHING ELSE 20% off will show up when you check out – FREE Shipping Still Applies … Continue reading Great Pots Deserve Great Trees

Kimura’s Bag of Tricks

Before and after Shimpaku Juniper by Masahiko Kimura. No wonder they call him the Magician. The tree’s height started at 15″ (38cm) and ended up at 28″ (71cm) Continuing the Magician thread from the last two days. Part of this post is from our archives (2011). The rest is from today. Bonsai are reduced in height all the time, but how many have you seen that are extended to almost twice their height? Granted, in this case about half of that increase comes from changing the planting angle, but how about the other half? NEW 20% OFF SITE WIDE SALE at STONE LANTERN SEE … Continue reading Kimura’s Bag of Tricks