The Limber pine (Pinus flexilis) knows what it’s like to be second best. Well known for growing alongside more “notable” pines like the Foxtail or Bristlecone, the Limber rarely gets the spotlight. Which is too bad as it’s a remarkable variety. The Limber can eke out a living where only a handful of trees can […]
Excursions
Excursion posts feature visits to bonsai gardens in the U.S. and in Japan, visits to the Kyoto's Most Renown Gardens, and trips into the mountains to see junipers and pines in their natural setting.
Deadwood story
In nature, animals, insects, rocks, wind, snow and self-sacrifice expose heartwood to the elements creating the oftentimes beautiful shapes and patterns we recognize as “deadwood” in bonsai. Deadwood always suggests a story – the cause of the trauma to a tree that killed part of it off. Some of these stories are more compelling than […]
Foxtail pine
I had the good fortune to walk up Mt. Whitney earlier this month. On the way back down I passed through one of the few stands of Foxtail pines in the world. Foxtail pine (Pinus balfouriana subsp. austrina) is a beautiful variety of white or five-needle pine that grows near treeline in the Sierra Nevada […]
Project trees
One thing I noticed while visiting bonsai gardens in Japan – their “project trees” are pretty good. I found these junipers in Shinji Suzuki’s garden. Shimpaku This shimpaku is young and has only one branch – but what fun design potential! Fortunately these smaller junipers are easy to grow from cutting. And although they don’t […]
Three more from Urushibata
A juniper, a pine, and another pine from Urushibata’s garden: Shimpaku What stood out on this shimpaku was the extensive carving. I don’t know if it is still in process or if this is it. It will be interesting to see the tree in a couple of years when the foliage and deadwood are further […]