leatherback
The Treedeemer
Agreed, to use mere mortals it is as good as we see arakawa. HOwever, @MACH5 is no bonsai mortal, but a bonsai design deity!
Arakawa Japanese Maple
- Thread starter MACH5
- Start date
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
This tree was accepted to be shown later this year at the Winter Silhouette in Kannapolis, NC thanks to you!
I'd like it to be just a bit more dense but I think ok to show. Hoping to have a good strong growing season. Off to a good start!
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
Dav4
Drop Branch Murphy
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Ok, it's only 625 miles from here to Kannapolis... I'm going!This tree was accepted to be shown later this year at the Winter Silhouette in Kannapolis, NC thanks to you!
ABCarve
Masterpiece
Do you worry about the tree being exposed to room temperatures for the extended periods of travel time plus exhibition days for the silhouette show? I’ve thought of entering but leery of 5 days of heat.This tree was accepted to be shown later this year at the Winter Silhouette in Kannapolis, NC thanks to you!
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
Dav4
Drop Branch Murphy
- Messages
- 13,370
- Reaction score
- 31,496
- USDA Zone
- 6a
Yeah, you're buying the first round... and the second!Be Dave or be square! Ok that was bad!
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
I would be a bit more concerned if it was towards middle to late winter as prolonged warm temps can break their dormancy more easily. Being a late fall show I am less worried. I have exhibited there before and my trees were completely fine afterwards.
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
Arakawa today with its beautiful red spring leaves contrasting nicely with the new Nao pot.
Faisal Ahmad
Mame
No doubt, it's gorgeous❤❤❤
Adamski77
Shohin
... my maples are leafing too 
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
A masterpiece Serg!
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
Thanks brother! Always means a lot coming from you!
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
Arakawa as it winds down from another busy growing season and prepares to make its first public appearance at the Winter Silhouette show in Kannapolis, NC this December.
Hartinez
Masterpiece
If this tree doesn’t win best in show then the judges did something wrong.
haha...it seems like a deciduous tree should win a winter silhouette show but typically it is a conifer. Maybe Speed Racer will change that this year. Normally Bill V. brings a couple fabulous deciduous trees every year but of course his aren't considered.
Hartinez
Masterpiece
How strange for a deciduous to not win the “winter silhouette” show. That doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.
I’m speaking from pure emotions on my end with this tree that’s for sure John! I LOVE this deciduous tree. But this arakawa of Sergio’s hits so many benchmarks for exquisite specimen. Scarless trunk, with a hole right at the front that was clearly healed well over time that shows great handling. Rugged and soft. Great base. Zero reverse taper. And that third trunk that gives this tree just enough of a unique appearance to potentially stand out. Perhaps not in a good way to some, but it’s a very deliberate choice that i like. I’m pretty sure I’ve also heard that they don’t ramify easily, quite like other Acer varieties, so maybe it won’t be as twiggy as others?
I agree this tree is a beauty and I've really enjoyed watching it develop.
MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
This is very true. I have always said that side by side it is very tough for a deciduous to compete with a conifer. The drama and physicality of some of the best collected conifers always seem to steal the show... specially large ones. The more nuanced and delicate nature of deciduous almost seems to beg for their own separate exhibit.
The only time I can remember was back in 2016 when my beech forest most surprisingly won best in show. For the most part it has been conifers to take the big prize.
In any case, I always come with zero expectations when showing a tree. If it happens to get something that's always nice. If not, I leave as I came
