We've got a handful of muscular Japanese Red pines from the 93rd Kokufu Exposition for you today. They're not as popular as Japanese black or white pines, but maybe they should be. 

Akamatsu, aka Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora). This one and the others shown here are from the 2019 Kofuku Exhibition.

Coiled muscle.

Muscle and movement accentuated by the lines in the bark. 

Battle scars and a strong rugged base lend a feeling of age.

Gallery Sources:

Kokufu Bonsai Shots on Bonsai Bark

We've got some great shots from the 2023 Taikan-ten Bonsai Exposition that I'm sure you'll like. I found them on Peter Tea's FB page.

Peter Tea presented so many phenomenal shots from the 2023 Taikan-ten Expo, that it's hard to know where to start. I guess this juniper will do... 

... or maybe we should have started with this Japanese black pine? 

And then there's always this abundantly fruited little Princess persimmon. 

Another Juniper from Peter Tea's Taikan-ten photos.

And one more black pine. This one looks like it might be cork bark. 

We've got some super trees in perfect settings by Andres Alvarez Iglesias. The photographs are courtesy of Santi Lorenzo Borda, and according to Andres, "They are wonderful as always."

No IDs are provided for the trees, so you'll have to enjoy them nameless. 

Here's that little companion piece in the photo above. 

Another of Andres' trees. Everything about it suggests Ginkgo. 

Muscular! We could guess, but we won't. Can't quite make out the little complimentary piece....

... but this might help.

Here's Andres' caption with this one, There are trees that are engraved in our retina once contemplated. This is definitely one of them.. let's walk together, reinventing ourselves and reinventing ourselves.

Gallery Sources: 
Andres Alvarez Iglesias on FB
Andres on Bonsai Bark

Time for our old friend Harry Harrington. Still one of the most distinctive and industrious bonsai artists we know. I'd like to call him a genius because of just how unique and seemingly uncontrived so many of his bonsai are, but I think he might take offense. 

Can you see this...

... when you look at this?

Or how about this? All the same tree reimagined and styled by Harry Harrington. I think maybe Harry has been visited by the great Bonsai Muse. 

Here's what Harry wrote about it. "Sometimes I’m forced to make room in my personal collection. It’s just not possible to keep everything when I have so many other trees coming through at a reasonable quality.
This is an English Elm bonsai I collected in 2004 (see image from 2005), that has brought a lot of pleasure but will soon be on its way to another garden.
I have heaps of progression and instructive images of the tree from over the years and will be in a book/magazine at some point in the future!"

Have you gotten your copy of Harry Harrington's Foundations of Bonsai yet? It is a must-have for bonsai beginners and long-time practitioners alike. Harry Harrington is a unique force in our world bonsai community. What he accomplishes with inexpensive, undeveloped and sometimes unattractive material is nothing short of impressive. We can all benefit from Harry evolution as a bonsai grower and artist of considerable dedication and skill.

You can get your copy here. 

We're featuring just one tree again today. It belongs to Michael Roberts, a Southern California bonsai artist. Here's Michael's caption, "30+ year old twin trunk Cork Bark Elm prepped for the Baikoen “winter Silhouettes” show this January 13th & 14th from 10-5 at the Los Angeles Arboretum.  Hope to see you all there."

Before and after trimming from back in August when it had leaves. You might notice how much light comes through in the after shot. John Naka's axiom about enough space for the birds to fly though was well heeded.

We've got a four photos today from American bonsai artist Mark Arpag. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Chojubai dwarf flowering quince by Mark Arpag.

I know this Beech belongs to Mark Arpag and that I got it on FB, but now I can't find what Mark wrote with it. Anyway, I like its natural feel and simple beauty. 

Mark doesn't mention the variety, but he did offer this message on Dec 25th.  
Peace, Joy & Harmony
Today & every day
Merry Christmas 
I guess we're a little late with this, but it's a lovely photo and the sentiments in the first two lines could extend beyond the holidays. 

One more by Mark Arpag.

We've got a treat for you today: a few trees by Dave De Groot and a few teaser pages from Dave's Principles of Bonsai Design (still the best how-to bonsai book we've seen in a long time).

This colorful Japanese winterberry belongs to David De Groot. Here's his caption, My little JAPANESE WINTERBERRY (Ilex serrata) is still very much in development but is showing some Holiday Cheer.

Here's Dave's caption with this one, My Mugo Pine is getting into the act with a "Three Friends of Winter" display of the Mugo with a small Ume in a Bamboo container.

Dave decides to promote his most excellent book. Speaking of the holidays, if you still haven't gotten a gift for that special bonsai someone, there is still time to order my book "Principles of Bonsai Design" from Stone Lantern. Covering not only design, but container selection, display and evaluation, it's a book they will refer to again and again.
I'll second that!

In Dave De Groot's own words, I just finished the WINTER WIRING of my "Windblown" Chinese elm. I have shown this a couple times before, but the reason I'm showing it today is that after several years of training, I did not have to move any large branches, and as a result can show it with no large wire. I used only a few pieces of 2 mm, and the rest was all 1-1/2mm and 1mm. Parts of some branches could simply be trimmed, with no added wire. This is a good time to wire as the winter buds are tight and undamaged by handling small branches in congested spaces.

This one and the next two are pages from David De Groot's Principles of Bonsai Design.
We'll let the images do the talking. 

Dave De Groot (in the vest) with Mauro Stemberger, who visited Dave recently. You might imagine Dave and Mauro worked that elegant Juniper together. 

We've rounded up a few trees by various artists for your viewing pleasure and hopefully inspiration. If you'd like to explore any on your own, there are links way below. 

David Benavente seems to present an endless train of brilliant bonsai. Most set in his perfect (yet relaxed) Bonsai Studio garden wonderland. 

Another one from David Benavente. Here's the caption, "New available. Wild olive, wild bonsai. Just restyled by Pablo Comesaña." 

Here's one that was posted by Moyogi Chris at the Bonsai Club Eda Uchi Kai on FB. Here's the caption, "A species not seen every day as a bonsai, this Potentilla fruticosa. But this specific tree from one of our club members, as shown during our recent exhibition, is not only extremely well developed, the tree/pot combination is just as stunning as well. Sometimes good things come together ...."

After and Before. Itoigawa Juniperus chinensis by Francesco Santini. 

Pinus parviflora by Francesco Santini.

This one was posted by Kuanghua Hsiao. Here's the caption, 分享自 Komunitas Bonsai 的的相片。And here's the machine translation, Shared photo from Komunitas Bonsai.

Here are a couple crazy Buttonwoods by Ed Trout who lives in Florida. 

Here's Ed's caption. "I grew up climbing Buttonwoods during my youth in the Florida Keys. I clearly remember the odd shapes of these incredible trees, and how beautiful they are as giant specimans. The “crazy” ones stuck in my brain, so that’s probably why I style many of my trees in those contorted shapes. Not sure if the shapes are crazy, or it’s me that’s crazy 😂? Then again maybe I do know…."

And finally a Bougainvillea, also by Ed Trout. 

We've got some rough and ready bonsai and some others that are a bit more elegant. All by Walter Pall. 

I love everything about this tree. The lovely spring leaves, the pleasing shape of the crown, the profusion of rugged and distinctive trunks and and visible lower branches. And of course the powerful nebari. Here's Walter Pall's caption, "Japanese maple #30. About 65 cm high (26"). Pot by Walter Venne. Tree is originally from a cutting in a nursery in South Korea. It was imported to Germany in May, 2021."

Here's a beefy Oriental hornbeam by Walter. No leaves so you can see the profusion of small branches and twigs. This wild natural look is one of Walter's trademarks. 

Another Oriental hornbeam, but with leaves and a bit more pleasing to the eye. What a difference a few months make. 

Another rough and ready hornbeam. But this time a cascade. 

Aha, a little less rugged and a lot more elegant. It's Walter's Trident maple #11. About 50 cm high (20"). Pot by Walter Venne. The tree was imported from Japan in 2001 and was styled by Jurg Staheli of Switzerland until Sept 2019 and then by Walter. 

Another colorful Japanese maple. It's Walter's #17. height 40 cm (16"). Pot by Walter Venne. Tree originally imported from Korea. 

We've got a New Bonsai Roundup for you today. Enjoy!

We found this sterling Silver Fir at Bonsai Mirai. Here is their description: 
Pacific Coastline - age: 100-250 Years - size: Large - collector: Jason Eider - potter: Byron Myrick - initial creator: Eric Shikowski - availability: Private Collection.

This magnificent Coastal redwood in an upright weeping style was styled by Eric Schrader. We found in on FB at Bonsai Society.

I've seen full grown Acacia along some highways in costal California, but I don't think I've ever seen one quite like this. It was posted by Pete Inglis on FB. Here's what he had say about it: "Friday night Bonsai. It's been a while. Acacia Howitti, Sticky Wattle. Imported Chinese pot. Loving the early spring weather."

Here's a highly stylized Moss cypress by Peter Tea. And here's what Peter wrote about it: "The yearly cut back and thinning of this Moss Cypress has occurred! Tedious work but well worth it. We’re planning on repotting to tree into a different pot next Spring."

Another one from Peter Tea. "2nd defoliation for this root over rock Trident Maple.  Most of the time I defoliate this tree twice a year though sometimes just once depending on the strength of the tree that year.  It’s nice seeing the Winter silhouette in the middle of Summer." 

This one was posted by 鳳鳴盆栽 on FB, and here's their comment:
"For all of you "WTF"? It may be considered "imitation", but it is a treasure to me. I've gotten much better after a couple of years since I was shaking. I love the shape of this tree 🤣 cleaned and measured. Fall leaves are just around the corner. My energy is number one 👍"

Another one by 鳳鳴盆栽. Are you detecting a pattern?

The other side. 

Here's another one from Bonsai Mirai. This time from FB. It's about their Summer Tree Mercantile. 

Michael Hagedorn, a highly respected American bonsai artist and author of Bonsai Heresy and Post Dated, just posted some excellent photos he took at the recent UBE Expo in Madrid. I've picked three of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Itoigawa juniper. There's a lot going on here, with such a wild, free play of fluid movement. I think the artist was fearless, not to mention skilled, when he or she set about to transform so much living tissue into dead wood.

This one, which Michael calls simply Chinese juniper, is another tree where the deadwood demands our attention..

Aha. Bunjin. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you see that many great bunjin (literati) style trees outside of Asia. I like both the fine deadwood touches as well as the way the whole tree hangs together, with the downward sweep of the branches and trunk's strong upward movement (at times like this, I wish I were a poet).

Michael's books are here and links to Michael's site and blog are below. 

If you don't know Peter, one of our most accomplished young bonsai artists, you're in for a treat. And if you do know Peter, you're still in for a treat.

One thing that jumps out for me with this remarkable tree, is the well developed ramification all the way out to the tips of the twigs. Here's Peter Tea's caption, "The deciduous work begins! Defoliated this Korean Hornbeam and a slight thinning and cut back."

Another one with good ramification. Here's Peter's caption, "Ramified Seiju Elm in a Sara Rayner pot! It’s going to get a repot in February."

Here's what Peter wrote about this tree, "Chinese quince getting more refined! The roots are also starting to fuse and we’ll show more of that in the next repotting. Graft I did in early 2023 up top is growing and looking forward to fill the hole there. Pacific Bonsai Expo 202?"

I'm looking forward to seeing this tree in few years after Peter has worked some of his magic. Here's what he has to say about it, "Japanese flowering apricot is blooming at the garden! We’re going to graft a few branches closer to the interior in March and dense this guy up!"

We'll let Peter do the talking, "Eli, Max and myself headed down to the Bonsai Garden in Lake Merritt and repotted this 1500+ year old California Juniper. It took three of us to lift the tree out of the pot and we were able to get the tree into a smaller oval pot."

By the way, Lake Merritt in Oakland CA is the home of the Golden State Bonsai Federation's bonsai garden. 

Here's Peter's story with one, "Eli and I making some pancakes! Repotted a number of Black pines in big nursery containers. Whipped out the Sawzall to take slices of the rootball away to save time. Once we got close to the roots we planned to keep, we went at it with hand tools." 

Peter's caption for this one, I purchased this Seiju elm back in 2017 at an auction and the first thing I did was cut all the branches to stubs and repotted it into a smaller pot.  I did this because the branches were very leggy and pot was huge! After a few years of branch development I sold it to a client of mine and has been under his care for the last 5 years. He has since decided to downsize his collection and now the Elm has retuned to the garden! The tree is now just starting to bud out due to warm days in Sacramento last week. I plan to continue its branch development and hope to show it in the future! 🤩
The tree stand right at 17inches tall."

One more by Peter and it's a doozy. Here's what he wrote, "Rebuilding this funky little Black Pine! Looking forward to a good 2024 and the continued refinement of this tree. 

"I feel like I should give this tree a name. What do you think?"

There are always those pioneers who push the boundaries of any type art. Sometimes to the breaking point. Robert Steven is one of those pioneers and whether or not you like the results, my best guess is that, at the very least, your mind will be stopped for a moment or two.

This one and the two just below are from a show last summer Robert Steven created using his own mixed media bonsai. With a little help from his friends of course.

I like the story that this one tells. And the scale.

Hmmm. Unusual to say the least. Here's a quote by Robert that might go with this one. "Bonsai elites are those unconscious incompetence in bonsai, but you are idiotically fawning for their narcissism in cutting ribbons rather than how to handle bonsai tools " A little harsh for my taste, but given what Robert has accomplished over the years, maybe he's earned a pass. 

For more boundary breaking bonsai artwork, sign up for my newsletter where you can get beautiful art straight to your inbox! Also don't forget that we have a Big Spring Sale, with 40% to 60% off on approx 200 products. Everything else is 10% to 40% off!

Today's bonsai blog post, When is best to repot? Do we repot them all at once? is taken directly from Michael Hagedorn's Crataegus Bonsai blog.

All the text in italics is directly quoted from Michael and all the photos are his.

Bud swell on Hemlock, about right repotting timing

Ponderosa Pine—a bit late

When is best to repot? Do we repot them all at once?

The general guideline to repot as they break bud is a good one. Some, like pines, though, are best repotted a bit before we see bud elongation. Maples, as buds open.

If you have a long spring—one that goes on at a mild temperature for a couple months or more—then the schedule separates into phases.

Black Pine—much too late

Ezo Spruce—the tree on the right, correct repotting timing; tree on the left, too late. Tricky for this specimen as it is a forest…try to gauge by the first tree to begin moving.

A long spring schedule might look like this:

Deciduous first: Quince (Japanese and Chinese), Trident
Then, Black Pines
Satsuki, as they green up
Single flush pines, like Japanese White and Ponderosa
Spruce
Then more deciduous, like Japanese Maples, Elm
Hinoki
Beech, Hemlock
And finally, Juniper

Beech—a hair early. Beech are tricky. They are late openers, usually almost overnight. Ideally, wait for a bit of green between the bud scales to show, then repot.

Vine Maple—like many maples, they can be repotted a bit “long in the tooth”, when the buds are swelling and opening

Though Maple can be repotted with buds opening, once leaves are out it’s on the late side

If your spring is short, just a month, trees may be repotted roughly at the same time.

If repotted outside its ideal window—before or well after bud break—place the tree in shelter, preferably a greenhouse for several weeks. Greenhousing any repotted plant is a good practice for protection from wind, frost and too much rain. A common mistake is placement in too much shade after repotting. Plants need light to grow roots, and in many locations the spring sun is mild.

Looking for repotting bonsai tools? Visit our website for incredible deals on all bonsai essentials.

Ten years ago or so, we'd see Marc Noelanters' bonsai seemingly eveywhere, but not so much lately. Until recently that is, when I stumbled upon the extraordinary forest planting below.

Marc Noelanders' only comment with this extraordinary mountain forest planting is, "On request some pictures of a demonstration that I did a few years ago."

The trees. Marc says nothing about the type trees he used, but Cryptomeria (Japanese cedar) comes up twice in the FB comments and based on how they look in this photo, I'm on board with that. 

The pot, slab, base or whatever you want to call it. There's no mention of the artist, but I think it could have been Marc. 

This photo of Marc was taken at the demo. 

Want more of Marc Noelander and our awesome bonsai content? Make sure to sign up for our newsletter to get it straight into your inbox. 

We also have some amazing tools and resources available on our website if you really want to learn bonsai, all the way from basics to advanced design principles and techniques.

Here's a good shot of what lookes like a Shimpaku juniper or close cousin (Kishu or Itoigawa). This and all the trees shown here are by Mariusz Folda.

It's been a while since we featured Mariusz's work. He's a long time favorite. Take a look and you'll see why we can't go too long without returning to his trees and gardens.

This impressive monster looks like it might be a Japanese white pine. Mariusz and plenty of other bonsai artists don't always identify their trees on FB, but some like this one are fairly obvious.

A little taste of late spring color, This azalea (most likely a Satsuki variety) would be a powerful bonsai with or without its flowers. Nice pot too. Mariusz is also a potter so perhaps this one is his.

I'm pretty sure I've seen this pine before. The clusters look like five needles, so Japanese white pine might be a good guess.

Here a lovely twin trunk deciduous tree with familiar looking leaves. We'll leave it at that (your guess is as good as mine).

Another deciduos tree. This time with compound leaves.

One of many excellent pots by Mariusz from his FB photos.

And a little piece of his garden. Scroll down for a link to more by Mariusz Folda.

Got a few photos today from our friend Dave De Groot. He's the author of Principles of Bonsai Design and much more, including a long stint as the previous curator of the Pacific Bonsai Museum. So you might say he's a big deal in our bonsai world (though I don't think he would say that).

One of the many things I enjoy about Dave De Groot's posting are his commentaries. I think we can learn a lot from accomplished bonsai artists that take the time to explain what their thinking is as they work with their bonsai.

"I had to hurry to get my Japanese maple thinning done before it gets too late. Here are two examples: First is a grafted green leaf maple (in need of cleaning) that is very robust and has a coarse growth habit. Because of that, it has been completely defoliated with the dual aim of encouraging interior budding and shorter internodes on second growth.

"The second example is a coral bark ('Sango Kaku'). This is not as robust, but I still want to encourage interior budding and branch ramification. In this case, only alternate leaves were removed.

"I recommend a bud shears... rather than a standard thinning shears... for leaf thinning. Its slim design allows it to get between and into branches easily, and the short blades help avoid cutting more than the leaf intended."

"One of my bald cypress bonsai was originally topped by beavers, and the resulting re-growth inspired me to design it in a typical deciduous tree form with ascending branches. This is actually a form bald cypress often take in urban landscapes where they are mature and not shaded by neighboring trees.

We are near the northern limit of growth for bald cypress, due to our relatively short growing season and cool summer nights. As a result, I have started thinning new growth very early in the season, before the tree has invested a lot of energy. Unsightly lumps form on branches very quickly where clusters of new shoots emerge, so thinning early is important. Also, thinning later in the season after the tee has invested a lot of energy in new growth seems to set the tree back, and recovery can be quite slow. Photos are the tree last week after thinning, and then closeups of a branch before and after the thinning process."

"My white wisteria is still very much in development - I'm letting it go a bit wild to increase the size of the trunk - but for one week a year, it deserves to be seen (and smelled)."

"My Windblown Chinese elm with Spring foliage."

A couple months ago, I visited New England Bonsai Gardens, my old nursery, for only the second time since I moved on in 1999. Fortunately, Ashley was there to give us (my friend Barbara was with me) a tour. Unfortunately we couldn't spend all day which might have given us a chance to see  everything. Still, we saw enough to be very impressed. If you haven't been there (or even if you have) I highly recommend you make time for a visit if you're ever in New England. 

As an unexpected bonus Ashley introduced us to Andrea Meriggioli, a highly accomplished and very friendly young bonsai artist from Italy who happened to be there for few day teaching and working on some trees. 

I had to do a double take for this one from New England Bonsai Garden on FB. Here's their caption, "Two of NEBG's finest enjoyed a fantastic day with Martha and her team filming for an upcoming episode of her show (the date is TBD).

Congrats to Pete & Kevin for this incredible opportunity. "We will be sure to let everyone know the airdate once we find out."

One of dozens of bright spots at NEBG.

Want to see more? Make sure to sign up for our newsletters to get these magnificent bonsais (and potentially Martha Stewart) directly to your inbox! 

A European (Larix decidua) from our archives. When the photo was taken, at least four years ago, it belonged to Walter Pall. The pot is by Derek Aspinall.

American Larch (Larix laricina - aka Tamarack) by Larch Master Nick Lenz. In addition to being one of our most accomplished bonsai artists, Nick was a skilled and innovative potter. So you might imagine that the pots was also his handiwork.

Another American larch by Nick Lenz. This time in full fall color. BTW, this tree is massive. Much bigger than it looks in this photo.

The Guardian of Laments is Giacomo Pappalardo's name for this magnificent old European larch (Larix decidua).

European larch by Will Baddeley.

Judging by the fall color on this wild larch, I'd say it's a Larix decidua (European larch). American larch's fall color tends more to bright yellow rather than this rusty orange. Though the color does change some as the fall progresses.

After. This impressive Taxus baccata (English or European yew) was posted by Arsenio Mondo Zen—as were all of today's photos.

Before . Here's the caption (translated from Italian): "How far we've come together with this rate of Gianluca, and so much more to go. From a not very expressive material, with the right techniques and the right time, you can achieve great things. Just believe it."

"At Mondozen Bonsai Club."

Arsenio's Trident maple after defoliation and some pruning.

Before. Time to get to work!

Arsenio and friend.

We've got some Horst Kaltenbrunner beauties for your bonsai enjoyment.  Horst's  caption for this photo reads: European spruce that shows its naturalness.

Andrea Maier wrote that this Horst Kaltenbrunner tree is a Beautiful sylvestris in a antimayer pot. You'll get no argument from me.

Looks like the same Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) that's above. Only from other side.

Horst identifies this one only as a pine.

Horst's caption: Pinus Mugo, collected in Austria two years ago in our mountains, removed the topsoil. Now in the training bowl in pure substrate powered by Ibuki! We give him some years, it could be a beautiful tree!

Today's feature tree would stop traffic if it could walk down the street. It's hard to know how much of the magnificent deadwood is the result of the forces of nature over time and how much can be credited to well chosen carving tools in skilled human hands, but it's probably safe to say that both played their part.

Couldn’t resist today's two magnificent bonsai. Both express mastery when it comes to carving deadwood and both belong to David Benavente—a long time favorite here on Bark. David doesn’t mentioned the varieties and I won’t bother to guess, I've been burned one too many times

Close up for a better look at the trunk with its remarkable deadwood and its all important living vein.

Another great Benavente tree.

Again with some very impressive deadwood.

I found these trees at Bonsai Boon* (Boon Manakitivipart) on FB. Here's Boon's caption, "Good show. 般社団法人 日本盆栽協会 Nippon Bonsai Association. 第３回 翠緑盆栽展 その３" No translation is offered, but I think you'll find that the trees speak for themselves. 

In case you don't know him, Boon is a well-known and well-loved bonsai teacher and friend to many. Including several of North America's most advanced bonsai artists. 

Today we'll feature a few impressive junipers from a Nippon Bonsai Association show. 

This first tree is a full cascade juniper with some mind bending deadwood, a single living vein and a lush, well balanced crown.

Aha. Here's one that would stand out anywhere. In spite of the massive, demanding power of the deadwood, the living foliage manages to hold its own and flow together with the deadwood in a way that brings it all together.

Another noteworthy juniper from the show. This time with more obvious living veins.

Surprise! If you've been around bonsai for a while, you most likely know about viewing stones. They're called Suiseki  in Japan and are often seen in bonsai venues there. 

One more powerful Juniper. Maybe we'll call this one 'The Dancer.' The strong and complex nature of the lower half of the tree is well balanced by the heavy lush crown.

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A couple years ago my partner Barbara and I visited Bjorn Bjorholm's Eisei-en where Tom Bjornholm (Bjorn's father and an accomplished bonsai artist in his own right) was kind enough to give us a complete tour while Bjorn was out of town. It was, to say the least, an eye opening and inspiring couple of hours.

To sample Bjorn's (and Tom's) wares we've got a few photos from Eisei-en for your enjoyment and inspiration. We lifted them along with the captions from Facebook and all italics are quotes from Eisei-en.

"Itoigawa Foliage grafted onto Rocky Mountain Juniper. This was the first tree Bjorn ever grafted years ago during one of his return teaching trips from Japan. Now in the collection of Tom Bjorholm."

Quoted directly from Eisei-en Bonsai on Facebook.

Again quoting from Eisei-en, "Fused Trunk Trident Maple. Originally built by Doug Phillips in California nearly 40 years ago, it has been in development at Eisei-en since 2018. The nebari spans nearly three feet across and all of the branching was built anew after coming to Nashville. It will soon make its way further south to a private collection in Texas."

"There are many behind-the-scenes projects at Eisei-en that never really feature online or in videos, such as this Juniper grafting project in which Itoigawa foliage has been grafted onto a fantastic Prostrata trunk.

"Learn all about these techniques on the Bonsai-U video platform at Bonsai-U.com!"

"Pines looking royal after a heavy rain at Eisei-en".

The trees below have no caption attached, but it's incredible to admire the before and after photos.

Before

After

Before and...

After

Check out our page for more amazing bonsai features!

Looking to up your bonsai game? Check out The Principles of Bonsai Design, a must have for any bonsai lover.

Gallery Sources:

Eisei-en Bonsai

This distinctive Goyo-matsu (Japanese white pine) is from the Omiya Bonsai Art Museum. I don’t know if the split trunk was by the hand-of-man or the result of a natural occurrence. Either way, the effect is wonderful. At the risk of stating the obvious, you might notice the similar movement and direction of the each trunk’s twists and turns.