The 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Album Is the Best One Yet

This worthy old Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) from the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection is one of 248 fine bonsai that are featured in the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Album. Here are four of the many things to love about the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Album: 1. The bonsai are a notch better than the second album and the second album bonsai are a notch better than the first. This speaks very well for the evolution U.S. & North American bonsai. 2. It has 32 more pages than albums 1 & 2 and yet is the same price. 3. … Continue reading The 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Album Is the Best One Yet

Year End Loose Ends & Shameless Promotion

Just couldn’t resist posting yet another yew (there have been several lately). But, as you can see, it’s not just any yew. I found it here with this caption. Taxus Baccata (English yew) by Stefano Frisoni from Italy. Newsflash! I’ve been having a strange feeling that I’ve seen this tree somewhere before. Turns out it was right here on Bark 17 months ago. Oh well, this photo is much better. Shameless promotion There are three reasons why I spend so much time on Bonsai Bark. To spare you the boredom, I’ll skip the first two… the third is to promote … Continue reading Year End Loose Ends & Shameless Promotion

Taxus Maximus (It’s all about Yew)

The powerful tree with its heavy flowing deadwood (it reminds me of melting wax) and luscious reddish bark is truly wonderful, but then there’s that little companion too. Have you ever seen a piece of deadwood used as a bonsai companion? This Taxus (yew) and charming little piece of deadwood belong to Mauro Stemberger. The pot is a Tokoname. Species specific series. I’ve been thinking about starting a species specific series (in this case it’s actually genus specific). We’ve devoted posts to certain species before, but haphazardly and without any notion of doing a series. So we’ll consider this the … Continue reading Taxus Maximus (It’s all about Yew)

Taxus Time & Missing Comments

After. Mario Komsta with Pete Carino and Bonsais Del Sur. Here’s Mario’s website for those of you who aren’t facebook friends. Mario Again? We (that’s me) tend to go on rolls around here. A couple years ago it seemed like every other post was about Michael Hagedorn’s bonsai. Then it was Bonsai Tonight. And of course there’s always Robert Steven (I reckon he appears in more of our posts than anyone). Not that these folks are the only ones that reoccur; when you post exclusively about bonsai three to four times a week for over three years you, recycling is … Continue reading Taxus Time & Missing Comments

A Happy Bonsai Artist

Reverse taper? No problem that a little carving can’t solve. I know it’s a Yew (Taxus), but I’m not sure which species (can’t find the original to confirm). It belongs to David Benavente. If you’re ever in Spain… … think about paying a visit to David Benavente’s bonsai studio. A while back we posted some photos of David’s studio/nursery. I was taken with the artistry of the display and of course, the trees. Here’s a few more trees and another display shot to whet your appetite. Have you ever seen a display area this perfect? Full cascade Scot’s … Continue reading A Happy Bonsai Artist

Bonsai Hot Bed & Bonsai Winners

First place 2011 Certre International Online Bonsai Awards. Taxus Bacata by Stefano Frisoni of Italy. This photo was taken at the Bonsai in the Bluegrass Symposium in Louisville KY. Italian sweep Is it surprising that the last three year’s winners of the Certre International Online Bonsai Awards have been from Italy and that Certre is an Italian company? Maybe, but these are great trees nevertheless and Italy is a hot bed of top tier bonsai. And BTW, the previous two years winners (2008 and 2007) weren’t Italian. First place 2010 Certre International Online Bonsai Awards. Juniperus Phoenicea by Enrico … Continue reading Bonsai Hot Bed & Bonsai Winners