Like it does every year, Bay Island Bonsai’s annual exhibit seemed to wrap up just as it was getting started. It was a blast, and as always I wish I’d had more time to enjoy the trees. Poring over the photos is the next best thing. Some photos make it easy to appreciate a tree’s good points. Other photos bring key flaws to the fore. I think there’s some of each in the photos of trees and displays below.

Shimpaku

Shimpaku on a rock created at the BIB 2014 Demo by Daisaku Nomoto and Boon Manakitivipart

Alberta spruce

Procumbens juniper

Pomegranate

Live oak

Black pine

Japanese maple

Black pine

A number of people asked if I had a favorite tree in the exhibit this year. I don’t know that I did, but one tree that came to mind is an old grape vine. I like it because it does a great job conveying its age.

Grape

Hornbeam

Corkbark black pine

Lemon Hill juniper

Black pine

Blue atlas cedar

Monterey pine

With that Monterey pine, that’s the last you’ll see of large trees at a BIB exhibit for a while as next year’s event will focus on small and medium sized bonsai.

When I first heard the idea, I thought it sounded like fun and a great opportunity to give small and medium-sized trees the attention they deserve. On further reflection, it became clear how much work this will entail. An additional 20-40 trees – easy to lift thankfully – plus that many more pots, stands and small accents will be needed. I expect to work on a lot of practice displays in the coming year in preparation for the event.