Visitation rights

I recently had the opportunity to visit a few of the pines I started 15 years ago that are no longer in my collection. I was happy to see that they are doing very well. It’s exciting to give a tree its start and then see how others develop and refine it. The result is a mix of familiarity and novelty that is unique to bonsai.

Exposed-root Japanese black pine

When these pines were 3 or 4 months old I cut their tap-roots to make seedling-cuttings. It was a very sensitive time for the trees as they had no roots to help them through the warmest time of summer. And as I spent July and August in Greece and Turkey that year, I had to rely on family to provide the frequent misting they required. I remember returning from the ruins at Sunion one evening excited to call home not to share my adventure or inquire about my family but to find out how the pines were doing. Fortunately there were in great hands.

Exposed-root Japanese black pine

It was heartening to find that I harbor no regrets about parting with these trees. It can be hard to appreciate the changes our trees go through when we see them all the time. Seeing trees every few years can make for wonderful surprises.  And while I may not get to see these trees as often as I’d like, I do appreciate the surprises.

Future shohin Japanese black pine