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Highlights from the 8th US National Bonsai Exhibition – part 1

October 6, 2023 by Jonas Dupuich

Last month, William N. Valavanis hosted the 8th US National Bonsai Exhibition in East Rochester, New York.

At the start of the event, Bill reviewed all of the exhibits and seminars he’s hosted over the years and determined that this was the 100th show he’s staged. This is impossible sounding achievement deserves massive congratulations – thank you, Bill!

This year’s event was another big success with great attendance from around the world including demonstrators Koji Hiramatsu (Japan), Gerald Rainville (Canada), Sean Smith (US), and Corin Tomlinson (UK).

The exhibit itself featured 304 bonsai. To offer an idea of what the event was like, I’ll feature a handful of trees today and next week that highlight two facets of the exhibit. This week we’ll look at exotic (non-native) trees that have been in training for many years. Next week, we’ll look at North American species at different stages of development.

Brazilian rain tree

Brazilian rain tree by Louis Carreiro

One of the joys of attending an event like the US National Exhibition is that it features a great diversity of species that I don’t see as much of in regional shows. The Brazilian rain tree above is a great example of this. The tree got a lot of attention not only because it’s big and beautiful, but because it was grown from cutting in New England, a region that isn’t typically thought of as a hospitable home for tropicals!

On this note, one of the more impressive ficus in the show calls the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Garden home.

Banyan

Banyan – Ficus microcarpa

One of the more dramatic trees in the exhibit was an itoigawa shimpaku by Stewart Tieszen.

Itoigawa juniper

Itoigawa juniper

The tree was notable for its interesting foliage design that relied on layers of branch pads arranged in an irregular pattern. It was one of the more complex designs in the exhibit.

A mature black pine took the opposite approach by featuring a full silhouette and quiet branch design.

Japanese black pine

Japanese black pine by Brownlee Currey

Deciduous trees displayed in leaf often fail to convey the beauty of their branch structure, but a large cork bark Japanese maple did a great job showing off its aged bark from the base of the trunk to the uppermost branches.

Arakawa Japanese maple

Arakawa Japanese maple by Lucas Glass

In contrast to the light and airy Arakawa maple, Mike McCallion’s trident maple conveyed strength in the lower trunk and surface roots, common features for large tridents.

Trident maple

Trident maple

Our final tree for today is a multi-trunk Japanese five-needle pine. It takes great care and a gentle touch to arrange white pine branches in such a consistent and artful manner. If you haven’t had the experience, I highly recommend giving the species a try – it can be a fantastic challenge to get the branches arranged to one’s liking!

White pine

White pine by Brian Hollowell

Next week we’ll take a look at some of the US natives on display. In the meantime, head over to the Bonsai Wire Podcast to hear responses to the question, “Why should one come to the US National Bonsai Exhibition?“

East Bay Bonsai Society show this weekend

EBBS is hosting their annual show this weekend at the Lakeside Park Garden Center in Oakland, California. Come check out headliner Jason Chan of Eastern Leaf who will do a demonstration Saturday afternoon.

The show is open to the public 10am-4pm on October 7-8. Learn more about the event in the EBBS Newsletter.

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Filed Under: Exhibits Tagged With: US National Exhibition

Previous Post: « Highlights from the 37th REBS bonsai show – part 2
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Volker Heim says

    October 7, 2023 at 7:44 am

    Hallo, ich bin 66 Jahre alt und hoffe, daß ich noch ein Paar jährchen auf dieser Erde verweile. Als Tischler habe ich einen besonderen Bezug zum Holz.
    Aber die Formen von Bonsaigestaltungen haben mich schon immer fasziniert.
    Nachdem ich zu meinem 60. eine Azalee als Bonsai bekommen, habe ich mir noch einige kleine angeschaft und versuche sie gut zu behandeln.
    Es währe schön, wenn ich auf Ihrer Seite bleiben darf, um weiterhin die schon im Rentenalter befindlichen Bonsai`s zu bestaunen.
    Vielen Dank im Voraus, Volker Heim – Tischlermeister

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      October 7, 2023 at 9:28 am

      Thanks, Volker! The shapes of bonsai deadwood can be fantastic, I hope you can find or even create some yourself!

  2. Jerry Carpenter says

    October 7, 2023 at 8:33 am

    Gorgeous Rain Tree. Mine is tiny in comparison but I wonder how they keep the leaves open for a show?

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      October 7, 2023 at 9:29 am

      It was pretty warm in the room, that might have helped.

  3. will says

    October 7, 2023 at 2:45 pm

    thanks for sharing these photos!

    i took your recommendation to go to the EBBS show today, and it was quite nice—making me sad i couldnt stay for the headliner!

    i was very bummed to find the Lake Merritt collection closed today, seems like there’s some missed communication there

  4. Simon says

    October 8, 2023 at 10:10 am

    Thanks for the article Jonas, I was conversing with fellow Aussie Elaine, today and reminded her she featured in your podcast, she said you were flatout lugging your equipment around chatting to everyone. So kudos to you for all your efforts to share with the world the US exhibition.

    • Jonas Dupuich says

      October 8, 2023 at 10:27 am

      Ha, thanks, Simon, I appreciate it!

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