Bonsai Perfection, 150 Years Old

Borrowed this and the other photos you see here from Michael Bonsai. His caption reads simply… “Goyomatsu – 150 years old” Goyomatsu translates as white pine (goyo is white five needle (thanks to Bill Valavanis) and matsu is pine) In this case, it’s Japanese white pine I don’t know much about this tree, other than it’s a nine trunk Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora) that Michael Bonsai posted, and that it’s among the finest examples of  Japanese white pine multiple trunk bonsai I’ve seen. 30% to 50% off BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL 30% TO 50% OFF LIST PRICES ALL BONSAI TOOLS & TOOL KITS plus an extra 5% off … Continue reading Bonsai Perfection, 150 Years Old

This One Is For Yew

We have no way of knowing how much of this impressive deadwood is due to natural forces over a very long time, or the relatively sudden hand of man. Maybe a bit of both.  We do know that’s it’s Yew (Taxus) but do not know which species. Today’s one tree post is from Robert Pressler‘s timeline. The caption states simply… “Will Baddeley this one is for yew.” Robert is the owner of Kimura Bonsai and Landscape Nursery in Los Angeles and Will is a well known  bonsai artist and teacher who lives in the U.K. 30% to 50% off BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL 30% TO 50% OFF … Continue reading This One Is For Yew

Bonsai Beasts of the Southern Wild

Beast of the Southern Wild. We don’t know the dimensions of this monster, but we know its name. It’s a Pithecellobium unguis (Catclaw black bead), a genus and species completely new to us (and probably new to you too). As you can see, this particular bonsai is about as unique as they get with nature doing most of the work and Nacho Marin providing the finishing touches. Getting ready to  head out of town for a little mixed R&R and work (there’s always some work), so we’ll take a shortcut today. This post originally appeared in February, 2015, though from where we sit now, it … Continue reading Bonsai Beasts of the Southern Wild

Tiger Bark Bonsai

We’ve shown this magnificent Tiger bark ficus (Ficus retusa) before, but not this cropped front shot. The photo of the entire tree is below along with several other shots that focus on sections. The photos and the tree belong to Nacho Marin. Bonsai Aesthetics Wire SPECIAL 100 gram rolls Only 2.95 500 gram (1.1 lb) rolls Only 8.95 1 Kilo (2.2 lb) rolls Only 15.95   I know we’ve shown this front view of the entire tree before, but it’s worth another look   The base of the trunk NEW BONSAI TOOL KIT SPECIAL 30% OFF LIST PRICES ALL BONSAI TOOL KITS plus an extra … Continue reading Tiger Bark Bonsai

More Magnificent Mugo Pines

This superb Mugo pine has a distinctly natural feel. Almost as if someone found it just as is, growing somewhere high in the European Alps. Still, whenever you see a bonsai, a human hand is intimately involved. Even when the tree appears perfectly natural (in some cases, especially when the tree appears perfectly natural). In the case of both trees shown here, the human hand belongs to Georg Reinhard. We borrowed the photos from a post we did in November, 2010. It was titled Mugos by Mother Nature & Georg Reinhard    Continuing with our Mugo pine theme from yesterday… I … Continue reading More Magnificent Mugo Pines

A Rugged Old Mugo Pine and a Lovely Japanese Garden

Close up of an old yamadori Mugo pine’s trunk. It belongs to Mariusz Folda. Here’s his caption… “Pinus mugo in training at IBUKI for 16 years.” IBUKI is Mariusz’s Bonsai and Ceramics studio in Bielsko-Biala, Poland There’s a lot to like about this old Mugo pine. Aged bark is always a plus as is deeply fissured, naturally colored deadwood. Perhaps most striking is the way the foliage clings to the trunk and primary branches, creating a low dense canopy that enhances the story of a rugged life at the tree line in a high mountain range (three in a row… don’t tell my high school English teacher).  Maybe somewhere in the Alps in this case, … Continue reading A Rugged Old Mugo Pine and a Lovely Japanese Garden

NEW 2018 Bonsai Calendars Are Here!

2018 Bonsai Calendars They’re here and they’re beautiful – Enjoy 26 powerful Japanese bonsai Next year you can cut off the dates & enjoy beautiful wall hangings 30″ x 14″ – 13 pages – made in Japan – Note: The photos shown here are from 2017 Our photographer is off for a couple days & we didn’t want to wait we’ll have our 2018 photos by Tuesday special extended one day! BONSAI AESTHETICS TOOL SPECIAL 30% OFF LIST PRICES extended until tomorrow Aesthetics tools for the budget minded bonsai enthusiast special ends Monday Nov 6th at noon EST

Bonsai Baby

Couldn’t resist this monster tree with its perfect baby accent. Based on the caption with the photo below and other compelling evidence, I think it’s a safe guess that this photo was taken at Luis Vallejo’s Museo De Bonsais Alcobendas and the baby belongs to Mariusz Janusz Komsta (or perhaps more accurately, Mariusz belongs to the baby) We’ve featured Luis Vallejo’s bonsai numerous times here on Bark (very recently too) and the same goes for Mariusz Komsta’s bonsai. But never quite like this. BONSAI AESTHETICS TOOL SPECIAL 30% OFF LIST PRICES Aesthetics tools for the budget minded bonsai enthusiast special ends Nov 5th at noon … Continue reading Bonsai Baby

Art Shots from a Famous Bonsai Museum

The bark on this tree speaks of age and combined with the low somewhat twisted shape of the trunks, creates a story of harsh conditions (most varieties of deciduous trees that grow in open easy conditions, tend to grow more upright). The photo was posted by Luis Vallejo. Based on the leaves, I’m guessing it’s a Chinese elm (but that’s just a guess… see below). All the photos shown here are from Luis Vallejo’s Museo De Bonsais Alcobendas. Some are what you might call art shots, with emphasis on features rather than the usual straight on full bodied front shots.  Luis doesn’t identify the trees, so I’m … Continue reading Art Shots from a Famous Bonsai Museum

Mystery Bonsai

Our source for this lovely beast doesn’t say a word about the artist or the tree itself, and Image Search proved itself useless again (“Best guess for this image: flowerpot”), so your guess is as good as mine. Getting another late start today* so we’ll make this one short and sweet. Just one magnificent mystery tree. Continued below… NEW Bonsai Fertilizer Special 30% OFF LIST PRICES  In addition to Green Dream & other Bonsai Fertilizers this special includes Superthrive, Pro-Tekt, Rooting Compound & Mycorrhizal Fungi   Here’s a closer look at the large sabamiki and the rest of the trunk with all the wild texture and movement … Continue reading Mystery Bonsai