Marty's Yamadori Engelmann spruce

[Tidal Bonsai]

The first bonsai class I ever took was at Nature's Way Bonsai in 2017. When I arrived at the studio early in the morning, I sat there quietly drinking my coffee and reading through books in Jim's studio library before the workshop began. One book caught my attention entitled North American Bonsai by Martin Schlalenberg. This book was what sparked my interest in natives, in particular the pitch pines he had shown.


Years passed by, and while I always wanted to meet Marty for one reason or another I could never attend his club picnics, or workshops. In November 2022 I got the unfortunate news that he passed away after a long battle with throat cancer, and regrettably I missed my opportunity to thank him personally.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Although I missed my opportunity to meet him in person, I later found out that there would be a sale of his collection this past weekend. I knew this would be my last opportunity to get something to remember him by, and hopefully continue the work he started on one of his magnificent trees. After inspecting what was left of his collection, I decided to purchase an Engelmann spruce that he first styled at Nature's Way in 2021, the very spot that I first read his book.


This tree was meant to be in my collection, because I later found out that it received its first styling in a demo that was on my birthday!!!

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Jim told me that the tree had not been taken out of its plastic collection container for 3-5 years, so root work had to come first! Once I removed the remaining field soil, I noticed that there were a bunch of feeder roots (good), but not a lot of roots in general (meh). I decided to remove as few roots as possible to get it into an appropriate pot for development, and improve rot mass/health over time.

I also noticed that there was a "hole" in the nebari if I potted at the angle it was originally styled at.


To hide this flaw of inverse taper, I changed the planting angle and guy wired the main branch and trunk a bit farther down before leaving it alone for the rest of the growing season. I hope to see a good season of health/vigour before refining the design further.


PS while the big spiral jin is a major focal point of the tree, another unique feature is the support branch that has been ripped down by nature and healed itself right up against the trunk!

 

[Colorado]

Very good looking spruce! And great story to go with it. It is certainly an honor to take in a legacy tree from a bonsai practitioner that is no longer with us.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Even though I haven't posted anything about it in a year and a half, it is still alive and well in my garden. Last season it failed to thrive in its ceramic pot, and I think I had it in too much sun. I thought this was a CBS when I bought the tree from Marty's estate, but it is in fact an Engelmann!


To get it vigorous again. I slip-potted it into a wooden box, and it absolutely thrived!!! I will be making some moves on this tree, and putting my own spin on what he originally envisioned. I am especially happy that the tree didn't drop the low branch on the right, because that ripped down branch is my favorite part of the tree!

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

I have worked on two different Engelmann spruce at Sergios, and they seem to respond best to doing work in stages. Now that my tree has recovered, I used the same strategy. The first thing I decided was to pull the main branch up to eventually become the new apex.

The second thing I did was jin the old apex, and bend it to flow with the direction of the rest of the tree.

This is what I eventually see for the trees first styling in 2025. Marty had styled the tree to have the apex and main branch all pointing the opposite direction of the trunk. IMO I like it better with the apex, all three jin, and that amazing first branch all pointing to the right.

 

[Deleted member 47471]

I love the trunk line! I want to see more of it though as it’s slender and curvy. The Jin looks cool and it’s massive for sure, but to the eye and its natural observation and movement, the Jin competes for attention and trunk line movement/shape. Overall though I really love the tree.

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Shortening(?)

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Shortening(?)
View attachment 564553

I have considered shortening/retooling that jin, but I don't think I will reduce it that much. Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 47471]

I have considered shortening/retooling that jin, but I don't think I will reduce it that much. Thanks!

I dig it! right on

 

[Hartinez]

Lookin good Sal. Engleman fast becoming a fave of mine.