I was very impressed by the broadleaf and deciduous bonsai on display at REBS’ recent show. These often difficult to develop and maintain bonsai are in great shape – strong evidence of good bonsai care.
The trees are also evidence that broadleaf bonsai can be powerful.
Bougainvillea – about 45 years old
Korean hornbeam – about 73 years old
As it’s getting late in the season, most, but not all, of the deciduous trees were in leaf. A pair of tridents offered a view of each approach.
Trident maple – about 82 years old
Trident maple – about 35 years old
Other tridents were quite a bit larger.
Trident maple – about 80 years old
Trident maple
Trident maple – in training since 1980
A pair of live oaks showed two approaches to styling oak.
Cork oak – about 30 years old
The oak below was one of my favorite bonsai in the show. The trunk has a good root base, good movement, good taper, and good age.
Cork oak – in training since 1966
As always, the show included a good mix of varieties – some common, like satsuki, others less so, like dogwood and pepper. Variety can add a lot to an exhibit, and it can make larger exhibits like this one feel less overwhelming.
Satsuki azalea – about 37 years old
Dogwood ‘Cornelian Cherry’ – in training since 1990
California pepper
Twisted Pomegranate – in training since 2008
Ume
Ume – trunk and moss
Cork bark elm – about 30 years old
Pryacantha – in training since 1991
Of course, I’m always a sucker for fruiting and flowering bonsai – thanks, REBS, for including these!
Crabapple – in training since 1998
Tamarix – in training since 2012
That Trident maple — the sixth tree from the top (3rd Trident) — looks very similar to the Trident maple at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington D.C. A picture of the tree on the museum’s website here: http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/collections/VirtualTours/BonsaiVirtualTour_26.html#Slide
Thoughts? ;-D