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Case History
I will burn all my trees
François Jeker’s 31-year-journey growing a bonsai forest When we make a bonsai forest, we think we are the Creator. We are under the illusion that we decide everything, the choice of the trees and their placement, but nature has already done a good part of the work. When we collect…...
The tree with no name
Nacho Marín works on a tree giving both power and delicacy This tree variety with its special forms shaped by nature and the large amount of deadwood juxtaposing with its delicate foliage, has been Nacho’s best companion since he began this art form. Nacho Marin is a real artist; he…...
A matter of taste?
Bartosz Warwas takes a garden centre Juniperus squamata to the big bonsai show This juniper will probably forever remain the least valuable, yet most important tree in my collection. You probably can guess why it’s so important to me. While writing this, I was surprised to discover that I’ve had…...
A masterpiece tree has no front
A juniper masterpiece more dead than alive, is totally restored ‘Garyuu’, the history and Kakuryu-an. The oldest photographic record of this tree is from 1962 when it was featured in the auction catalogue for the ‘Gyoshinya Bonsai Commemorative Book’. It was the usual auction catalogue in that photographs of both…...
An old friend
Update: Amigos of the tejos A small peek back at a tree created in 2010 by Kevin Willson. During the XX Trophy, held in February 2019, we came across an old friend, a yew styled by Kevin Willson. The tree had gone through an amazing transformation and was one of…...
I have no clue…
When he acquired a Buxus, David Quintana had not a clue where to start More than twenty years have passed since this tree and I first got together. And over the course of these years it has become a symbol of my garden, my school and my work. But things…...
Bonsai timetable
Bartoz Warwas knows that a good plan is the key to bonsai success Before Bartoz explains his timetable for planning the development of bonsai, he will tell you the story of a European hornbeam that has been with him for more than 10 years In all probability, we are living…...
Tale of the stump
How a stump became an elegant chokkan-style bonsai Martin Nielsen tells the story of how he managed to convert the stump he dug from the forest into one of most appreciated native trees exhibited at shows across Europe. It has been an amazing process with great experiences along the way…...
The Quebecan pearl
The story of Linda’s favourite bonsai from the wild – both good and sad. Living in the Canadian city of Laval, Quebec, Linda Chicoine often goes on hiking tours to see if there is a good tree waiting to be discovered. This is my story about the transformation of a…...
Chronicle of a Mop Top
Martin Nielsen tells his story of the broom style The broom style or whatever you would like to call it – maybe ‘Hokidachi’, as the Japanese say, even ‘mop top’. It is up to you to decide. You could also refer to it as the style of The Tree. The…...
Nobody knew
This deep relationship between artist and juniper spans over 20 years The Nippon Bonsai Saku-futen is a special exhibition that allows professional bonsai artists to display their skill and personal style. At the judging this incredible juniper, which no-one really knew of, caught the eye. It was up against some…...
Prisoner of time
The development of a Buxus sempervirens According to Marco Giannini trees develop into bonsai via a careful balance of technique and time. Respect for the original habitat where the tree once lived will make it look natural and give it even more tranquillity. First, I am going to tell you…...
Quite unlike a fairy tale
Hornbeam is an exciting tree for bonsai. Marija Hajdic: ‘About ten years ago, oriental hornbeam was an unknown species of bonsai. Here, I present the development of one of the best of its kind, a very imposing hornbeam called ‘The Emperor’. Quite unlike Andersen’s fairy tale, the Emperor here, has…...
Going wild
Ageing a Prunus avium – wild cherryIt was a journey of more than 15 years that began with simple native garden material and resulted in a stunning small-sized bonsai. Morten Albek guides us through the many stages of the tree Cheap material Seventeen years ago, in my very youth of…...