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Exposed root black pines at the Green Club

August 30, 2016 by Jonas Dupuich

A number of the Japanese black pines I’ve grown from seed have been developed in the exposed root style. It’s a fun style to work with as roots offer possibilities that aren’t always available for specimens whose roots are firmly secured in the pot.

My first exposure to the style was at the Green Club – the sales area for the Kokufu exhibit. The style seems to be gaining popularity as I’ve seen more and more pines with exposed roots at the green club in recent years.

I enjoy seeing these trees as they provide great inspiration for techniques to try – and to avoid – as I go about growing pines in this fashion. The following trees were available at the Green Club in February, 2014.

exposed root black pine

Exposed root black pine #1

This first specimen is somewhat of a semi-cascade bonsai. I don’t know exactly how such a tree might form in nature, but I like the movement of the roots.

The specimen below looks like a broken Slinky with pine foliage – fun, but far less natural.

exposed root black pine-3

Tree #2

Simply letting the exposed roots thicken a bit can help. Although the roots on the specimen below have yet to show age, at least the twists are less artificial.

exposed root black pine-2

Tree #3

The next tree is doubled back on itself. I’m not sure if these are exposed roots, a crooked trunk or a combination of both.

exposed root black pine-8

Tree #4

As bonsai get bigger, more options are available for styling the roots. The tree below shows an interesting combination of smooth vertical curves and more jagged horizontal lines. The foliage sits mostly on top.

exposed root black pine-7

Tree #5

I might like the tree more if the foliage were better incorporated into the lower part of the tree. It’s also hard to find a solid connection between the surface roots and the lower part of the trunk.

The tree below brings a smile to my face. I’ve witnessed several attempts at roots that extend far above the foliage and not all have been successful. I appreciate the tree for the root technique and would be interested to see it after the branches receive more attention.

exposed root black pine-5

Tree #6

Tree #7 shows how unorthodox the exposed root approach can be. There is a single high root, lots of foliage to the left and to the right, and some interesting back and forth in the middle.

exposed root black pine-6

Tree #7

Tree #8 is a more mature broken Slinky. I’d actually be curious to see what the tree looks like in another 20 years when the bark shows even more age.

exposed root black pine-9

Tree #8

The last tree is a wild tangle of roots below a somewhat standard black pine trunk and branches. Standing before the tree, I found myself following the roots around in an attempt to better understand which were coming and which were going – a level of engagement I didn’t find with some of the less-interesting specimens.

exposed root black pine-4

Tree #9

This fall, I’ll be leading a workshop on exposed root black pines at the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s 39th Convention in Sacramento, California. We’ll start with seedlings and find ways to plant them to generate the styles and shapes we’re looking for. The workshop is sold out, but do let me know if you’d be interested in such an event in the future as I’m always happy to work with pines.

 

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Filed Under: Excursions Tagged With: Black Pine, Exposed root, Japan

Previous Post: « Refining a black pine
Next Post: Growing medium for terrestrial orchids »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Graham says

    August 30, 2016 at 9:36 am

    Hi Jonas,
    Hopefully for those of us that can’t make the workshop(s), you’ll document the workshop in a blog post.
    Cheers Graham (great white north follower).

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      August 30, 2016 at 9:30 pm

      Thanks Graham, great idea – will see what I can do!

  2. ron anderson bonsai says

    August 30, 2016 at 2:41 pm

    Sweet

  3. Jonas Dupuich says

    August 30, 2016 at 9:31 pm

    Good question Drew – here’s a brief look at the approach: https://bonsaitonight.com/2013/03/26/repotting-1-year-old-black-pine-seedlings/

  4. minhduc huynh says

    September 2, 2016 at 1:19 am

    Hi Jonas;
    It looks to me they exposed root are the same batch of 1 year old cuting and replanted in the haft metter long tubes innitially.
    Thanks

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      September 2, 2016 at 8:57 am

      Thanks Minhduc, that’s my guess too – something along those lines.

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