The trunk reveals the heart and soul of bonsai. It can anyway. A compelling trunk tells a tree’s life story. It’s the oldest part of the tree and it bears the marks of age. And when the environment in which the tree matures is harsh, amazing things can happen.
Shimpaku
Ignoring foliage, pots, stands and displays for a moment, it can be fun to study and appreciate intriguing trunk lines.
Needle juniper
Ume
Nature’s brush paints with great imagination.
White pine
Whether these bonsai were crafted by nature or by man, they share a sensibility that is not without artistic merit.
White pine
And even – or especially – when the trees defy our standard conceptions about bonsai conventions, they remain interesting to the eye.
Black pine
Red pine
Black pine
Red pine
Seasonal color doesn’t hurt either.
Euonymus sieboldiana
To conclude for today, a straight line, and a formal and abstract design for an old hinoki. Thanks again to Boon Manakitivipart for the photos.
Hinoki
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Paul says
Except for one white pine, all the pines and junipers appear to have deep pots. Is this a new trend are am I behind the times.
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Paul – deeper pots are common for taller, thinner, trees like these. The pot shape and sizes here are pretty much in line with what I’d expect given the trees’ styles.
Paul says
Thanks.
I’ll have to remember that.