Large Saikei

Mike Page

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I did this 7 Kingsville boxwood saikei about 15 years ago as a demonstration at the Bonsai Society of San Francisco annual exhibit. The Kingsvilles were donated by Col. John Hinds Ret.of Seattle, the Kingsville king of the West Coast. The 32 inch long pot was donated by member Eleanor Carlton. The rocks came out of my rock pile. After the demo, it was auctioned and a member won it. Two or so years ago, he offered to sell it to me, and I snapped it up. It was neglected and in poor shape, but I was very happy to get it, and go to work.

Yesterday I spent about 4 hours trimming away much excess growth. They had all turned into green balls of foliage over the past year of so, and the branch structure could hardly be seen. I was thinking about Naka-sensei's admonition to "make your bonsai look like a tree". After the trim, some wiring was done.

The height of the main tree is 10.5 inches from the base of the trunk.

Mike
 

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Smoke

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Nice composition, reminds me of the hiway views along 152 on Pacheco Pass.
 

Mike Page

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reminds me of the hiway views along 152 on Pacheco Pass.

Yes Al, that is an inspiring highway. Probably unsafe for me to drive and enjoy the oaks at the same time.
 

Smoke

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Yes Al, that is an inspiring highway. Probably unsafe for me to drive and enjoy the oaks at the same time.

I've grabbed the wheel and turned hard before. It was worth it.....
 

irene_b

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Don't you fellas know that is why ya have the bumps in the middle of the roads for!
 

Smoke

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Don't you fellas know that is why ya have the bumps in the middle of the roads for!


It's not the middle thats a problem. The middle has a concrete barrier. It's the sides of the road and the cliffs that will get ya. There is a rock formation along the hiway just east of Casa De Fruita called Lovers Leap. It is very close to what Mike has modeled here. The view at the web site is from the west side of the formation. when driving from the east, as I do it looks almost identical to what Mike has done.
 
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Bob

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That's a sweeet display Mike, thanks for posting it! Do you know how old the two larger trees are?

Bob
 

Mike Page

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That's a sweeet display Mike, thanks for posting it! Do you know how old the two larger trees are?

Bob

Thanks Bob.
Re. the age, I guess they are in the 30-40 year range.
 

Mike Page

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Nice composition, reminds me of the hiway views along 152 on Pacheco Pass.[/QUOTE

A haiku for Highway 152 and roadside hills in many parts of California. Just yesterday I was riding on a BART train in Contra Costa County to visit my daughter in Orinda. I saw a hillside with oaks. The haiku began to form in my mind. I knew this would be the thread on which to post it.

TREES ON A HILLSIDE
BRANCHES GRACEFULLY BOWING
WELCOME THE VIEWER'
mp
 

milehigh_7

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I would love to go hiking in your saikei! I would love to sit under one of those trees and let time pass for a bit while I watched birds fly and little puffs of clouds moving.

Very nice and very peaceful. I think the fact that it takes Al to a particular place means you nailed it.
 

cmeg1

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How magical to get a tree back that you created after fifteen years,congrats!
 

Smoke

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A little blast from the past....good parts blacked out for privacy

cir. 1992
 

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