how long did it take you to get a tree you were extremely proud of?

[fourteener]

This really is a totally subjective question. It depends on what you individually consider a good piece of work and what does it take to satisfy that sensibility. Honestly I am still working on it. I neither have the money or the desire to possess a world class bonsai. My goal in life is not to own a magnificent work of art created by someone else, but to create one.

I know that there are some that want these wonderful masterpiece trees and have said to me that they were sure I would not turn down an opportunity to own one of Kimura's prize trees. They would find that I would sell it as soon as possible. If this is what bonsai is all about I would not be interested in it.

To me, and to no one else as far as I am concerned, bonsai is participating in the journey of life. A journey that creates this wonderful image of survival, and defiance in the face of extreme adversity where in the apex of this strugle a profund beauty is achieved. A beauty that declares "This is me, I have survived the worst you can throw at me and have returned an image of both peace and power."

In my world and way of looking at it you cannot understand this image if you have not helped create it. It has taken me many years to come to this revelation. Are there trees I am proud of? Yes but not one of them is beyond being totally redesigned. As I grow and change I do not just abandon those trees that I have grown up with I take them with me. I am after all---- the wind and the snow, the avalanches and the years that sculpt the images these trees, my friends, will become with me.

I don't know if anyone understands any of this without circling an ear with an extended finger, but this is what bonsai has become to me.

Vance, I can appreciate your attachment to your work. My friend here in town has a hard time understanding how I get rid of some of my trees. For me, it's a bit of a different journey. I confess my love for making something is greater than my love for maintaining something. Neither is better than the other, we're just all different.

 

[barrosinc]

I know this is very subjective, but it is based on your subjectiveness, you define a tree that makes you proud, and how long did it take you to get to that point.

I understand the possibility of some people feeling proud in maintaining a work of art tree, but I would feel happy to have a work of art, and if you have had a hard time maintaining it maybe that makes you feel the same.

Me for example, I have started with basically nursery stock, hedgeadoris and farely young trees, still nothing at the point which I feel proud of, but I still love my first mallsai received by my wife last year which started it all.

 

[edprocoat]

Too me its always been the journey not the destination. I posted that fact here in another thread several years ago and many thought I was nuts for saying I had no interest in owning anothers creation unless it was to turn it over and make a few bucks in a quick sale.

ed

 

[KennedyMarx]

I wouldn't say I'm ashamed of any of my material, but there's mainly one little tree that I'm proud of. It took about three years to get there. It's a ficus salicaria that I got on my first vacation with my girlfriend when we visited Jason Schleys nursery, which at the time he had just moved onto the new property. The nebari needs work, but the branching has developed nicely. It would have developed more quickly if I would have had a little more patience with it and did the work at the appropriate times. Still, I can't imagine any other trees coming together as quickly as this one. Maybe a Chinese elm or a trident would be comparable.

 

[Dan W.]

I have trees that I'm proud to own; trees that others or mother nature have done most of the work on. I have trees that I'm proud of the work I've done to them. I have trees that I'm proud of finding in the mountains. I have trees (sticks in pots) that I'm proud of for what I envision they may become someday. Basically, I'm proud of all of my trees to one extent or another.

Great answers from many of you!

 

[wireme]

Extremely proud eh? Thats raising the bar pretty high!

At about 5 years in I had a couple I was getting a little bit proud of. Then I lost my collection and started over. Its been another 5 or so since, I have a couple that I'm somewhat proud of now. Next couple years I expect to reach moderately proud at least, that should be quite doable. Hopefully extremely proud in another 5 but may well take 10. So altogether might be 20yrs if ever, to get to extremely proud!!

 

[Anthony]

This Malpighia e, has an amusing history, from a seed, and meant to be only 3" tall. However, a Welsh friend who had it, thought it should be a wee bit taller.
Over 30 years old, always pot grown. Still missing a branch, but a big favourite.
Recently defoliated and now coming back into leaf and at least 2 flowers, maybe some fruit later.

Not considered anything in the class of work from Taiwan, but very satisfying and full of memories.
Good Day
Anthony

*great fruit, sweet with a little tartness.
Mother shrub is in the backyard, planted in 1950

 

[Gene Deci]

You know, the OP’s question is more complicated than it appears at first glance. Of all my trees the one I like the best is not the one I am most proud of. And neither of those has found as much favor with other people as some of my other trees.

The tree I like the best is one I collected about twelve years ago. It is not my first tree. There are a few which I have had longer. But this particular tree and I have grown better at bonsai together and it has charmed me from the beginning.

The tree I am most proud of took a lot of visioning and a lot of work. I suspect not many would have bothered with it. It is not quite “there” yet but now it is just a matter of time.

But here is the crux of the matter. I am proud when someone gives a favorable critique of one of my trees. Its human nature. But I have often wondered at how differently different people experience trees. Even professional bonsai masters often disagree. You can’t change your own opinion just to agree with the ‘flavor of the day’.

So I would say to the OP, you are never likely to reach a point where you think a tree can’t get better. So, even if you are just starting out, if you are making progress be proud!