Let’s start off with this clump-style specimen. Notice anything unusual about it? For you Japan-o-philes, you know the number four is considered bad luck there and so you won’t see any four-tree forests or four-trunk multi-trunk style bonsai in the Japanese shows (at least as far as I know).
Well, I pondered how to comply with this “rule,” but no matter which of these trunks I thought of eliminating, I lost more than I gained. I had to conclude that this tree needs its four trunks to look right.
It’s going to make a fine bonsai for someone who isn’t superstitious.
Trunk base 2.5″, height 20″ to the tip of the tallest trunk.
Here’s a specimen Cathy found. Isn’t that trunk movement awesome! The rootage is likewise awesome, but it’s buried to keep it from drying out.
My plan for this one is to slip-pot it into a beautiful Lary Howard pot I got in yesterday, this coming spring.
Trunk base 2.5″, 22″ to the tip of the apex.
Here’s a tree destined for the Bonsai South collection. It’s a truly lovely twin-trunk. The base is great, the taper perfect, and the trunk has really nice movement.
The trunk on this one is 2″ across at the soil, and it’s 18″ to the tip of the taller trunk.
And finally, the big “Hoss” of the day. The trunk on this one is 5″ across, and it’s 27″ to the chop. I’m thinking it’ll finish up around 36-40″ tall. Wonderful rootage, taper and movement. And the secondary leader will make for a different design than your normal informal upright.
Let me know what you think of these trees. Leave us a comment below.
Zach, When you collect bald cypress do you pull them submerged in water or just near water? All the really wide trunks I see seem to be growing fully submerged.
Also, do you own the land where you collect or just get permission from the owners?
Dane, I collect BC from spots where there’s shallow standing water. That’s the ideal! As for where I collect, only where I can get permission.
I am green with envy!!! I would love to go on a tree hunting trip, but I have to be careful about private property. Am having some luck with ebay and small nursery stock. Good luck. Thanks form sharing-it does give some of us hope!!
I have to say you made a great haul as for the 4 trunk tree if it were mine unless a trunk died it would always be a 4 trunker when I first started in Bonsai I tried to go the japan way but over the years I go my way back when I was a member of the Cols. Bonsai Society I took a few of my trees to our shows but for a long time they are just for me. I have had friends ask me to help them get started in bonsai I tell them I will show them the basics and tell them I can show them what I would do to enhance the tree but don’t it just because I do they are your trees so do what looks good for you.
Thanks for the comments, Clem. I think it’s important to work with the trees based on what they’re trying to tell us. A lot of great art occurs that way.