Mar 10 2018

First potting of a Han Kengai Yamadori Yew

This is the first potting of the Han Kengai Yamadori Yew. its still got some filling out of the foliage to do so I have potted the tree in an oversize pot to give the roots more run. At this stage, I wanted to know the state of the roots and whether there we any large ones that need to be reduced. I was surprised that there were none. In the future, this tree can be potted in a much shallower and smaller pot. my friend Riccardo Vinciguerra assisted. You can see the earlier work here.

Dec 1 2017

First work on a Yamadori Yew ‘Pagoda’ style

Its always exciting when you tackle a piece of raw material for the first time, the element of discovery (and sometimes disappointment) seeing the image that you have in your head appear before your eyes is great.

This tree was collected over 4 years ago, this is a tall thin English Yew (Taxus Baccata), it has a shari that runs from top to base. Its never been re-potted out of this washing up bowl and it is now ready. The first work is not actually styling but formulating the branch structure and foliage locations. No wiring, no styling no branch positioning, the tree will be left to grow. All I will do over the next 12 months is clean the tree and tidy up the cuts.

Dec 29 2016

Planting a Yamadori Yew on a rock

This amazing windswept tree belongs to my best mate in Bonsai Terry Foster. It has been planted on a rock for a number of years but Terry was never happy with the composition. Terry has access to some wonderful pieces of wavy rock that he collected on his travels. The new piece was more suited to the final image that Terry wanted.

Terry had prepared the rock by drilling a large hole in the base, and placing brass screws to secure tie wires to.

The whole project took 2 hours. The photos tell the story

Nov 20 2016

The BIG Scots Pine

This amazing Scots pine was collected two seasons ago, next year the tree will be strong enough to start preparatory work, I cannot wait to get my hands on this beauty.

The Whole tree

The twist at the top

Amazing Bark

Oct 6 2016

Han Kengai Yew second wiring and deadwood

I have been working this tree for 5 years, collected in 2011 its hard to imagine that this is the same tree. This is a photo when the tree was first potted up. the tree has been turned 180 degrees.

Take a look back at the tree in 2014

The tree has undergone two wiring, the second one today. Its been a process of building strength in the tree, developing branches and creating a dense foliage mass. I guess that it will be at least two more years before the tree is anywhere near showing. I have a lovely Gordon Duffet pot ready for the tree when it is potted next April/May.