Top 5 Personal Bonsai Collections in the U.S.

[yenling83]

Not trying to start a flame war-hope to keep this light hearted, but i'm curious to know who you think would be in the running for current top five personal bonsai collections in the U.S- in no particular order. Obviously this is super subjective and there are ton's of variables, but it's just fun to hear who you might consider. A few I was thinking of:

Who else might be thrown in the mix?
*Ryan Neil
*Boon
*Michael Haggedorn
*Jim Gremel
*Randy Knight
*Bill Valavanis

 

[namnhi]

Don't forget me. I should be somewhere on the top 3.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Don't forget:

Doug Paul, the Kennett Collection
Dan Robinson, Elandan Gardens
Wayerhauser Collection (think its private)

 

[Smoke]

Obviously you can only put down a name of people that "people know".

Most of the best trees in America are from people you don't know.

Some of my picks:

Jo Blow
C. Mor Butts
Mr. Competely
and my favorite
I.P. Freely

 

[Smoke]

But....if you wish to keep it real how about:

Suthin Suksolvist
Kathy Shaner
Scott Elsor
Kenji Miyata
Jim Barrett
Ernie Kuo
Lindsey Shiba
Roy Nagatoshi
Frank Bardella
John Kirby
Katsumi Kinoshita
Inga Woefle
Tim Kong

 

[Smoke]

One of the largest and best looking collections in the USA, which is scattered all over the USA via Jim Barrett, Ernie Kuo and Boon belonged to the late Umenori Hatanaka.

 

[Gene Deci]

I don't know how many he still has but some of my favorite trees of all time are Nick Lenz creations.

 

[small trees]

Methinks this thread needs more pics

 

[Lancaster]

The Kennett Collection is absolutely breathtaking. I have not seen the others that some speak of in person, only in pics.

But I know that MOST people would love to have some of Doug Paul's throw-aways!

 

[bonsaibp]

I've seen a good number of the above mentioned collections- some of which aren't quite so private- and they are all excellent. There are a number of collections that are absolutely private that equal or rival the ones mentioned above. I know that some of the people mentioned above work on a few of them. I know of one here in Los Angeles that would be equal to some of the best on the list but is seen only by the owner and those he chooses to share it with. I doubt you'll seen many photos of collections like those.

 

[crust]

I don't know how many he still has but some of my favorite trees of all time are Nick Lenz creations.

Nick has dispersed 98% of his collection in the last few years--Scores of them he sold. He gave many away to his students--I got a few of his rejects. He still is a passionate teacher but no longer slaves over a large collection. He actually has time to paint a bit lately.

 

[Smoke]

I've seen a good number of the above mentioned collections- some of which aren't quite so private- and they are all excellent. There are a number of collections that are absolutely private that equal or rival the ones mentioned above. I know that some of the people mentioned above work on a few of them. I know of one here in Los Angeles that would be equal to some of the best on the list but is seen only by the owner and those he chooses to share it with. I doubt you'll seen many photos of collections like those.

Yea...guys like Kenny Lam... John Wang...Tak Shimazu and David Nguy. Best trees I have ever seen.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I would've said Dale Cochoy before he sold most of his

 

[JudyB]

Yenling, I wonder if you'd allow the question to change now, to the best "public" collections. It would be nice to see what is on that list. And where collections are that I don't know about and could visit.
I could start of course with these-

National Collection in DC
Pacific Rim Collection in Seattle

 

[Martin Sweeney]

Judy,

The Staples Collection at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville is an excellent Public Collection. It is a day's drive (or less) from most of Ohio and worth the trip.

Regards,
Martin

 

[daygan]

Yenling, I wonder if you'd allow the question to change now, to the best "public" collections. It would be nice to see what is on that list. And where collections are that I don't know about and could visit.
I could start of course with these-

National Collection in DC
Pacific Rim Collection in Seattle

Not to split hairs, but Yenling did say "Personal" , not private, and I interpreted that to mean "personally owned" as opposed to corporately- / business- / government-owned, and could include both publicly displayed collections as well as private collections...

 

[JudyB]

Not to split hairs, but Yenling did say "Personal" , not private, and I interpreted that to mean "personally owned" as opposed to corporately- / business- / government-owned, and could include both publicly displayed collections as well as private collections...

Yes Daygan. I did notice that, but I thought since we seem to have exhausted the person names, I thought I'd ask Yenling if he'd allow the question to change to public collections. If I offended you or Yenling, I apologize.

 

[daygan]

oh, right - I see what you mean.

 

[Concorde]

I would've said Dale Cochoy before he sold most of his

Why did Dale sell his collection?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Why did Dale sell his collection?

I think I saw something on Facebook about him moving...