Interesting Articles

[tmmason10]

I was googling native trees to Cape Cod when I stumbled upon this Arnold Arboretum blog post. Just a quick interesting read.

http://arboretum.harvard.edu/trees-and-their-biographies-part-one/?wpmp_switcher=desktop

Also, I have been wondering if sometimes bonsai design isn't so easy for me since on the Cape, where I grew up, the trees are relatively young. The pitch pine forests I believe were replanted in the early 1900s, and by no means are old or anchient trees. Nick Lenz tells about this in his book in the pitch pine section as well.

 

[Poink88]

I have been wondering if sometimes bonsai design isn't so easy for me since on the Cape, where I grew up, the trees are relatively young.

Could be but something you can easily remedy now by checking Google images.

Lots of people don't know the image differences of trees as they go through the various stages of maturity. Dan Robinson know it well and shoots for those images in his bonsai. I grew up in the mountains of a tropical place so I am exposed to old trees in various "styles". Tall lanky ones, squat sumo like, exposed roots by river banks, etc. You can learn a lot observing how trees grow in different environment and in their respective substrate like roots being more massive w/ fluting on unstable ground. Either that, or trees would have rope like roots that are super flexible. Their adaptation is amazing.

 

[GrimLore]

Honest, there are many traditional methods and visions... That being said we are on a bit of a different level now, modern substrates, modern tools, and a LOT of fuss because of it. Myself I love huge Bonsai but add much smaller as I travel the path. Shape, form, and exacting detail gets BORING fast... Large gets boring, small gets boring... Go for the Natural approach with what you have and ENJOY. I am pretty certain top names like Walter Pall and many others would agree. In the last several years I have been "present but not active as an observer" I feel what makes me happy will present itself very good in the years to follow. Choose a path that you can handle and all works out, make it a passion not an obsession to avoid CONFUSION.

Grimmy

 

[Poink88]

Do whatever makes you happy Grim.

I aim for aged tree images because that is what makes me happy.

 

[tmmason10]

Thanks guys, I should have said that obviously google and these forums and blogs are good resources. Not saying there aren't great pieces of nature around me or anything. Just a random thought I was having. I think one of my next purchases will be a coffee table book on anchient trees-not bonsai.

At any rate, I really need to get in gear and start working with pitch pine. I have access to some and I feel they are underutilized.

 

[davetree]

There must be old trees near you. There is usually a register of old and very large trees in each state. Also there must be some very weathered trees by the coast near where you live.

 

[GrimLore]

Do whatever makes you happy Grim.

I aim for aged tree images because that is what makes me happy.

That is what I said...

Grimmy

 

[tmmason10]

There must be old trees near you. There is usually a register of old and very large trees in each state. Also there must be some very weathered trees by the coast near where you live.

Yes there are trees near me now, just not really so many on the cape where I grew up is all. Still, the real point was that I think I need to start studying more actual trees rather than just bonsai as I do now.

 

[hozookie]

At any rate, I really need to get in gear and start working with pitch pine. I have access to some and I feel they are underutilized.

I'm with you on the Pitch Pine, let's go hiking