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Congrats on getting a Japanese beech. They seem to be rare everywhere! Keep your tree in a shaded to semi shaded location from late spring through summer. It can go back in full sun in fall. Too much sun will distort and discolor the leaves.

Hi Russ. Tree coming along. Question. At one point it looks like you had the top growing well and fuller. Pic above it appears it was pruned back quite a bit? Any reason why? Also make sure your wire is applied at at least 45 degrees evenly throughout. Otherwise it diminishes its functionality.

Yatsubusa elm today enjoying some drier weather in a long while. On view this September at Nationals!

It will be placed under the arbor which in my case cuts down roughly 50% of the sunlight. I have not seen any difference in terms of growth or any other negative effects by giving it more shade. More or less light can shift colors a bit. Only one maple I was able to shift its color dramatically...

Eight years in the rebuilding process, this maple really coming along beautifully! It was repotted this spring in an unglazed Koyo pot with a beautiful finish. With trees this big I don't mind switching over to using unglazed pots for deciduous bonsai including maples. The tree has not missed a...

Great pics! Thanks for sharing. I've seen this collection several times through the years. Happy to see the trees are well maintained and doing well. Not sure what your travel plans may be, but highly recommend you to go visit the bonsai museum in Alcobendas which us about 30 mins from downtown...

Hi Pete. I sold the tree two years ago.

One more year is always better! 😁

Arakawa today after trimming back to one node all the extended spring shoots. You might notice the paper covered wire up top to give some movement to a branch that appeared too straight.

Deeply saddened by the news. My condolences to the family. A truly gifted artist with a kind and generous soul. He left a lasting and indelible mark in the bonsai world. He will forever be remembered.

No worries at all! To answer your question yes, it will take a lot of years to develop the main tree into a credible bonsai particularly because you'll be left with a lot of large scars. I personally would not bother and focus in air layering its parts to create something more compelling. Shishi...

With the limited resources of a potted tree, they should not be allowed to go to seed since then it allocates its energy on reproduction rather than vegetative growth. A few left on the tree is ok.

Yes lots and they all need to be cut off! I believe they flower just as profusely whether they are potted or not.

Of course! I'd be flattered 😌

Shishi today. The foliage pads are beginning to take shape and are more defined. Perhaps this slightly wider shot gives an idea of scale. The tatami mat is 6 feet wide.

I think this is spot on! Although I would say this gingko with a few more years it's definitely show worthy particularly if it's presented as part of a three point display. Gingkos are quirky and a different animal altogether and why they should always be looked at based on its own merits...

Time, patience but also a few root grafts helped the nebari quite a bit. For those that perhaps may not be aware. For root grafting arakawa, you must also use arakawa seedlings for the simple reason that roots also bark up as they age. Interestingly, many arakawa maples in Japan are grafted...

Thanks Maros! One quick and easy improvement that was made was to rotate the tree counterclockwise changing its front slightly. Originally the two trunks were parallel to the viewer which flattened the image. In rotating the tree, the space between the two trunks was diminished while the...

LOL come and take a class with me! Yes, the challenges of maintaining and moving forward refined trees get compounded every year. It does not get easier but rather more difficult with each passing year. And I do think it's even more challenging with deciduous than conifers. There is nothing...

Today

Designed by community. That's what most trees are or will be!

Mainly to fund my new studio project 😉

This tree was sold. It went to a close friend and client in NY so I will still get to work on it and see its progress. In some ways I feel it never left.

Arakawa today. Budding this spring quite evenly throughout. Very happy!

Thanks! We handled the tree by secondary branch forks which have rough texture but no bark plates. Any areas with developed bark plates is off limits since they are extremely delicate and easily damaged.