Dan Robinson at Elandan Gardens

[Deep Sea Diver]

After so much time working in the volunteer team at the incredible PBM collection, we both decided to get gnarly and go across the Sound to see Dan Robinson at Elandan Gardens.

Dan spent some time chatting with us s as we walked through his huge collection Then as we had time to spare, we did some Pines and Hinoki clean up with Dan. Always a great time being with Dan. Love his ancient naturalisti take on bonsai

Anyone coming out this way with time might consider touching base at both Elandon and PBM. They are about one hour apart with good traffic.

Here’s a few of Dan’s trees.


c


Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Ruddigger]

Random, but cool nonetheless.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Yep, but nature can be random. Trees falling on one another, floods, landslides 15’ snowpack etc.

One has to step out of the Japanese Bonsai design box and into the alpine environs when at Dan’s.

Both bonsai styles greatly appeal to me. Yet the dichotomy is incredibly stark. From the carefully coiffed pampered tree


….to the rugged, gnarly weather I’m geologically abused one.


In fact when Dan first presented his style to the traditional SoCal bonsai crowd forty plus years ago… He whipped out a small chain saw and a bunch of guy wires during a demo and did what was the previously unthinkable to a demo tree …

…and was banned from demonstrating in that venue for over 20 years for ‘killing’ the tree…(which won high awards the next year at the same venue).).

Legend has it John Naka was reportedly the sole voice of dissent, saying something to the effect of, “Let’s wait a year and see if it lives”

Twenty years later Mr Kimura whipped out a similar chainsaw to a similar demo tree and was declared ‘The Bonsai Wizard.’

I think one really has to spend a good deal of time in the alpine environment to fully appreciate Dan’s genus, instead of the bonsai studio.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Ruddigger]

Yep, but nature can be random. Trees falling on one another, floods, landslides 15’ snowpack etc.

One has to step out of the Japanese Bonsai design box and into the alpine environs when at Dan’s.

Both bonsai styles greatly appeal to me. Yet the dichotomy is incredibly stark. From the carefully coiffed pampered tree
View attachment 517130

….to the rugged, gnarly weather I’m geologically abused one.
View attachment 517131

In fact when Dan first presented his style to the traditional SoCal bonsai crowd forty plus years ago… He whipped out a small chain saw and a bunch of guy wires during a demo and did what was the previously unthinkable to a demo tree …

…and was banned from demonstrating in that venue for over 20 years for ‘killing’ the tree…(which won high awards the next year at the same venue).).

Legend has it John Naka was reportedly the sole voice of dissent, saying something to the effect of, “Let’s wait a year and see if it lives”

Twenty years later Mr Kimura whipped out a similar chainsaw to a similar demo tree and was declared ‘The Bonsai Wizard.’

I think one really has to spend a good deal of time in the alpine environment to fully appreciate Dan’s genus, instead of the bonsai studio.

Cheers
DSD sends

Yeah, Dan is a pioneer, for sure. I’ve been to Elandan and it’s a special place.

I guess I’m just wondering why you’re posting about him in my thread.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Me too!

Gosh sorry about that! That’s absolutely due to me I not paying proper attention and thought I was on the “What did you do…” thread.

Maybe @Bonsai Nut could do me the favor of pulling these posts off your thread

Never gonna car post while riding the ferry again!

Regrets,
DSD sends

 

[Ruddigger]

Lol, it’s all good. I don’t mind some inspiration.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I moved the posts into their own thread. Now people will wonder what @Ruddigger is talking about

 

[Hartinez]

@Ruddigger what are you talking about above??? This is DSDs thread and your talking nonsense.

 

[Ruddigger]

I moved the posts into their own thread. Now people will wonder what @Ruddigger is talking about

The tables have turned!

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

…and a few more. Sometimes I look more at the ‘containers’ than the trees as there are some very interesting choices in Dan’s collection…



cheers
DSD sends

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

I moved the posts into their own thread. …

Thank you!

cheers
DSD sends

 

[Cadillactaste]

That place is on my bucket list. If my lungs ever get strong enough to travel again. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

…Very much hope you do.

Best
DSD sends

 

[roberthu]

Yep, but nature can be random. Trees falling on one another, floods, landslides 15’ snowpack etc.

One has to step out of the Japanese Bonsai design box and into the alpine environs when at Dan’s.

Both bonsai styles greatly appeal to me. Yet the dichotomy is incredibly stark. From the carefully coiffed pampered tree
View attachment 517130

….to the rugged, gnarly weather I’m geologically abused one.
View attachment 517131

In fact when Dan first presented his style to the traditional SoCal bonsai crowd forty plus years ago… He whipped out a small chain saw and a bunch of guy wires during a demo and did what was the previously unthinkable to a demo tree …

…and was banned from demonstrating in that venue for over 20 years for ‘killing’ the tree…(which won high awards the next year at the same venue).).

Legend has it John Naka was reportedly the sole voice of dissent, saying something to the effect of, “Let’s wait a year and see if it lives”

Twenty years later Mr Kimura whipped out a similar chainsaw to a similar demo tree and was declared ‘The Bonsai Wizard.’

I think one really has to spend a good deal of time in the alpine environment to fully appreciate Dan’s genus, instead of the bonsai studio.

Cheers
DSD sends

I was thinking the same when I first saw the photos. The styling is definitely very different from traditional Japanese design. It's less neat in some sense but there is more power and ruggedness to it.

 

[IckyGuyBonsai]

Thanks for sharing. Definitely on my bucket list to get up there to check it out because I've always been blown away by how his style looks so much like a tree plucked straight out of the mountains and put in a pot. From what I can tell he has a really hands-off approach to bonsai and it really shows in the way some of these are not what some would call "refined" bonsai, but I think it gives more of a feeling of actually being in the harsh mountain environment with that tree, than any formal display has given me.

Cool stuff

 

[johng]

Yep, but nature can be random. Trees falling on one another, floods, landslides 15’ snowpack etc.

One has to step out of the Japanese Bonsai design box and into the alpine environs when at Dan’s.

Both bonsai styles greatly appeal to me. Yet the dichotomy is incredibly stark. From the carefully coiffed pampered tree
View attachment 517130

….to the rugged, gnarly weather I’m geologically abused one.
View attachment 517131

In fact when Dan first presented his style to the traditional SoCal bonsai crowd forty plus years ago… He whipped out a small chain saw and a bunch of guy wires during a demo and did what was the previously unthinkable to a demo tree …

…and was banned from demonstrating in that venue for over 20 years for ‘killing’ the tree…(which won high awards the next year at the same venue).).

Legend has it John Naka was reportedly the sole voice of dissent, saying something to the effect of, “Let’s wait a year and see if it lives”

Twenty years later Mr Kimura whipped out a similar chainsaw to a similar demo tree and was declared ‘The Bonsai Wizard.’

I think one really has to spend a good deal of time in the alpine environment to fully appreciate Dan’s genus, instead of the bonsai studio.

Cheers
DSD sends

Dan tells good stories. I have heard several versions of this one directly from him...seems to have grown a bit in the last 20 years

I do love his work and have found his ancient and gnarly ways inspirational!

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Dan tells good stories. I have heard several versions of this one directly from him...seems to have grown a bit in the last 20 years

I do love his work and have found his ancient and gnarly ways inspirational!

Yep we’ve heard that story a number of times from Dan.. think it’s also in his book Grarly Branches Ancient trees… in this iteration John Naka wasn’t at the event but called Melba Tucker frequently afterwards to ask if the large Juniper Dan chainsawed the inside out of was still alive … and and it was!

Most folks realize Japanese bonsai styling had evolved over the years… from more natural less refined to highly refined… to the point of echoing the same styling nuances over and over. So much so trees of the same species lined up appear to have been from the very same ‘recipe.’ Not Dan. He continues to keep his vision of the real worl showing in his trees.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[Ruddigger]

The thing that stands out the most to me about Dan’s design ethos is his willingness to relinquish control. He doesn't repot, he doesn't kill pests, and when these things lead to portions of the tree dying off he simply embraces it.

That’s dedication to his style, and it would be difficult for most of us to not be in control in that way.

 

[Coppersdad]

Yep, but nature can be random. Trees falling on one another, floods, landslides 15’ snowpack etc.

One has to step out of the Japanese Bonsai design box and into the alpine environs when at Dan’s.

Both bonsai styles greatly appeal to me. Yet the dichotomy is incredibly stark. From the carefully coiffed pampered tree
View attachment 517130

….to the rugged, gnarly weather I’m geologically abused one.
View attachment 517131

In fact when Dan first presented his style to the traditional SoCal bonsai crowd forty plus years ago… He whipped out a small chain saw and a bunch of guy wires during a demo and did what was the previously unthinkable to a demo tree …

…and was banned from demonstrating in that venue for over 20 years for ‘killing’ the tree…(which won high awards the next year at the same venue).).

Legend has it John Naka was reportedly the sole voice of dissent, saying something to the effect of, “Let’s wait a year and see if it lives”

Twenty years later Mr Kimura whipped out a similar chainsaw to a similar demo tree and was declared ‘The Bonsai Wizard.’

I think one really has to spend a good deal of time in the alpine environment to fully appreciate Dan’s genus, instead of the bonsai studio.

Cheers
DSD sends

Recently read an article in the popular press naming Dan "The Picasso of Bonsai". IMHO, the name is endearing.

 

[vp999]

I believed a few of the trees that I bought from Will Hiltz a few years ago was displayed there at times. Will and Dan were good friends.