MIRAI YATSUBUSA ELM

I helped Sergio put felt pads on the bottom of the pot and to get it into place in the exhibition hall, so I can attest firsthand that you are not wrong

Thanks for your help Ryan! Crazy heavy and not fun to move, repot or even work on it since I usually have to get a ladder to work on it in the garden.
 
Was wondering how heavy this tree was myself. Wondering how many it takes to move and or repot 🤷‍♂️

I'd say between 175 and 200 lbs. It is not so much the weight as it's the difficulty in carrying the tree. It's cumbersome to pick it up with all the branches in the way and delicate bark. The Nao pot is quite heavy as well. Usually ok with two people but much easier with three or more picking it up.
 
I wasn't able to see this tree in person, but it sure looks every bit of the majestic image I imagine it is. I do wish that it were in a space with a background as seeing it out in the open doesn't do it justice as far as I can see. Maybe different in person, but I would expect it would have been even more impactful in a more traditional space.

Agree Judy although all things considered I was happy with its placement at the exhibit. Pretty much one of the first trees you saw it as you walked in through the front doors. The read it's definitely worse in pics without a clean background but much better in person.
 
I'd say between 175 and 200 lbs. It is not so much the weight as it's the difficulty in carrying the tree. It's cumbersome to pick it up with all the branches in the way and delicate bark. The Nao pot is quite heavy as well. Usually ok with two people but much easier with three or more picking it up.
That’s a beast. Was really cool to see it in person!
 
I was really glad I got to this tree in person. The tree/pot pairing is mint. The only thing that would have been better is if it had Fall color, so I guess I’ll have to see it again sometime. 😂

Great to meet you Ryan! Glad you made the trip all the way from the west coast. Yes!! I agree, wished this tree could have been shown in its autumn coloring. That would have elevated it a few notches up!
 
Three different people approached me to purchase the tree. One offer came from Longwood Gardens. That one I may be very interested in as I can see this tree being part of a public collection. It's got the wow factor that most museums look for. I declined it for now as I am not ready to part with the tree.
That's an intriguing possibility. Since so many seem to be inspired by it, it would be really cool if, when you were ready to part ways, this tree were able to be seen by more people rather than being locked away in a private collection (unless it was mine of course).

But I'm not gonna go full Indiana Jones on you:

 
Agree Judy although all things considered I was happy with its placement at the exhibit. Pretty much one of the first trees you saw it as you walked in through the front doors. The read it's definitely worse in pics without a clean background but much better in person.
I fully agree. The placement was not at all optimum for photos but in terms of impact as you were walking around the show was phenomenal. It really had a “woah! What is this tree!” When you approached it.
 
I fully agree. The placement was not at all optimum for photos but in terms of impact as you were walking around the show was phenomenal. It really had a “woah! What is this tree!” When you approached it.
Yes--appropriately positioned as a centerpiece rather than mere stage dressing.
 
I fully agree. The placement was not at all optimum for photos but in terms of impact as you were walking around the show was phenomenal. It really had a “woah! What is this tree!” When you approached it.

It's not easy to set up an exhibit as all these trees are in the staging area waiting to find their place in the venue. Bill always has the very difficult task of placing trees thinking of the overall exhibit experience. There are varying opinions on this but I think a few of the bigger trees should always be placed at the entrance to set the tone for an exhibit. Three huge bonsai were all at the welcoming table, a Cuban laurel, Yatsubusa Chinese elm and a clump Japanese maple while close by facing the entrance directly was a very large, well known Hinoki by Brussel's Bonsai. This tree however did have the benefit of having its own backdrop.

A couple of trees in the exhibit were placed against a black backdrop which I think enhances them far better than the white.
 
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The elm as exhibited at the 9th US National Bonsai Exhibition. This tree was the only in the entire exhibit that was not able to be photographed in the studio due to its large size. Through the kind generosity of my friend Kurt Dillow, he took this amazing photo at the venue where the tree was being displayed. He truly made the impossible happen!

This display was a true collaborative effort among people of exceptional talent:

Pot: Nao Tokutake
Stand: David Knittle
Accent (not pictured): Young Choe

Screenshot 2025-10-07 at 10.39.15 AM.png
 
I'm dying to see a fall studio photo with the leaves yellow or bronze. The black/green glaze would look especially striking vs warm foliage
 
The elm as exhibited at the 9th US National Bonsai Exhibition. This tree was the only in the entire exhibit that was not able to be photographed in the studio due to its large size. Through the kind generosity of my friend Kurt Dillow, he took this amazing photo at the venue where the tree was being displayed. He truly made the impossible happen!

This display was a true collaborative effort among people of exceptional talent:

Pot: Nao Tokutake
Stand: David Knittle
Accent (not pictured): Young Choe

View attachment 616416

Any chance Bill will use it for the album?
 
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