More highlights from REBS’ 31st annual show

The Redwood Empire Bonsai Society’s annual show is big. The sheer size of the event provides ample opportunities to criss-cross the hall, appreciating the work that went into each of the trees on display.

Coast redwood

Japanese five-needle pine

As always, I thought about the trees I most appreciated and which I’d like to work on – which that showed the season well and which conveyed great age.

Crabapple – nice fruit

Sierra juniper

Interesting deadwood

I thought about the shapes and styles of the trees, the health and the vigor, the pots and the stands.

Coast redwood

Boxwood

Japanese black pine

Olive

Some trees I appreciated for what they are. Others I appreciated for what they might become.

California juniper – in training 19 years

California juniper – 150+ years

Japanese maple

Of course, I also walked around smiling a lot as I simply enjoy visiting bonsai exhibits and catching up with members and other attendees.

Procumbens juniper

Japanese maple

Coast redwood

San Jose juniper – in training 25 years

Ever see much deadwood on Black pines in nature or in landscapes? Would you like to see more?

Black pine

What about coast redwoods?

Coast redwood

I don’t expect to see much of it on azaleas, but what about escallonia – or crape myrtle?

Azalea

Escallonia

Crape myrtle

I enjoy seeing alternatives to pots as the compositions suggest nature in a very different way than trees do when planted in fired clay containers.

Juniper

Cedar

Juniper

Pyracantha

I often appreciate olives as they have great qualities for bonsai – good bark and small leaf size among them – and can be developed relatively quickly.

Olive

Shimpaku

Ume

Coast redwood

Up next – smaller trees and accents from the REBS’ show.