Would you let someone style your tree for you?

[Bonsai Nut]

I would not usually let someone style my trees... but those are often easy trees to style. I have a few difficult trees that even now I stare at and I haven't decided what I am going to do with. Those I think I would benefit from bringing to a master - because they would be able to view my tree through fresh eyes, and help me to visualize a path forward.

I actually contacted Bjorn during the pandemic about trying to do a virtual styling of one of my trees via Zoom call I would do the work... he would help me understand what I needed to do. However he said that he had tried to do virtual stylings before and it didn't work out as well as he wanted, so I really needed to bring the tree in to him. Given that he is a six hour drive away, I will need to make a weekend out of it

 

[Nybonsai12]

I would and I have.

if you are a beginner and not particularly good at finding the tree inside a piece of unstyled material, having a pro work on your tree is a great experience. There is a tremendous amount to be learned through observation and asking questions during the process.

years ago I asked Sergio to work on one of my trees because I just didn’t know where to begin to bring out the best in the material. it was a fantastic experience getting to watch, ask questions, see techniques and learn. It put the tree on the right path and gave me knowledge to use on other material.

 

[dbonsaiw]

Personally, I would welcome the expert advice, but I'd prefer if they show me/suggest what to do and that I do the work myself. There are probably some techniques that I would allow the expert to demonstrate on my trees.

 

[Srt8madness]

Here's a controversial question - if you buy a finished tree, and then have someone else do all the trimming, future styling, repotting - are you "doing" bonsai, or just own a bonsai?

Bonsai can be very analogous to painting. Some make their own paints and canvass, some use ready made and put their own mark on it. Some have a teacher, some don't. Somethings the teacher guides or adds a few brush strokes. And sometimes the finished painting will be purchased at auction by someone who's never held a brush.

Different strokes for different folks

 

[namnhi]

I have plenty of trees so sure... have a go at it!

 

[Adair M]

I would not usually let someone style my trees... but those are often easy trees to style. I have a few difficult trees that even now I stare at and I haven't decided what I am going to do with. Those I think I would benefit from bringing to a master - because they would be able to view my tree through fresh eyes, and help me to visualize a path forward.

I actually contacted Bjorn during the pandemic about trying to do a virtual styling of one of my trees via Zoom call I would do the work... he would help me understand what I needed to do. However he said that he had tried to do virtual stylings before and it didn't work out as well as he wanted, so I really needed to bring the tree in to him. Given that he is a six hour drive away, I will need to make a weekend out of it

Tyler Sherard is much closer to you. He has styled a tree that won Kokufu. He doesn’t promote himself as well as Bjorn, but his bonsai work is every bit as good, if not better.

 

[ShadyStump]

A 400 year old plant turned into someones Bonsai, I would you are definitely now a custodian of that plant, whether you owned the land and therefore the plant or not before it was dug up.

Here I would hardily agree.
While age isn't a necessary component of a great tree, after a point it's almost like a historical artifact. Same goes for cultivated trees passed through generations. A living heirloom is not just an object to be possessed. It becomes its own entity separate from the caretaker.

 

[Adair M]

Threads like this pop up every 6 months or so. There’s always those in the “no one else will ever touch my trees” camp and there’s those who will say “an expert will bring out the best in your trees”, and those who are everywhere in between. There’s no universal right way. Everyone has different goals for how they want to pursue the bonsai hobby.

I have a tree that’s over 100 years old. Dozens of people have worked on it over it’s lifetime. I know it’s history for the past 60 years of it’s life, but not the first 40. I’m it’s current steward, I get the privilege of improving it for the next decade until it will be time for me to pass it on to the next generation.

So, do I do all the work on it myself? No. I usually work on it with the assistance of an expert. We collaborate on it. Together we prune, defoliate, repot, etc. He can’t be here every day, so I am solely responsible for daily watering, fertilizing, determining if it’s getting enough or too little sun, turning it to assure all sides get equal exposure to the sun, etc.

Am I “doing bonsai”? I think so. Others might disagree.

 

[penumbra]

Here's a controversial question - if you buy a finished tree, and then have someone else do all the trimming, future styling, repotting - are you "doing" bonsai, or just own a bonsai?

To me this is not controversial at all. It is almost like renting a bonsai.

NO! No more than I'd let someone have at my wife.

I can see the argument as to whether or not I own a tree, but there is no question that I Do Not own my wife.

 

[rockm]

FWIW, the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum constantly faces this issue. A crew of people work on trees there. Those trees include "landmark" compositions like Naka's "Goshin" and others. The caretakers (including more experienced volunteers, as well as experts) have to balance --on some trees--that balance of keeping the creators' vision, while accommodating growth, natural changes health, etc.

Also some trees are altered and have evolved considerably at the collection over the last 40 years. For instance, The Yamaki pine has changed a lot since it it was imported here in 1976. It also changed in its almost 400 year journey as a bonsai in Japan. Photos of the Japanese trees from 1976 when they were imported bear this out as well.
Click though the photos at the top of this article:

The Bonsai Tree That Survived the Bombing of Hiroshima

Now living in Washington, D.C., this bonsai tree outlasted the atomic blast

www.smithsonianmag.com

 

[bbk]

And if they didn’t they would be remiss. Caretakers?

 

[penumbra]

An analogy. There is a famed raku artist I know who does exceptional work. I have four of his larger vases. One of these vases was given to me at a workshop. It was still green (unfired). After bisque firing it I took this vase to another workshop with an artist who is known for his naked raku techniques. ( we do keep are clothes on) Under his guidance, I used his naked raku techniques to finish the pot but I did the actual work.
So I have a pot that was wheel thrown by one potter and another potter instructed me on finishing it. I did the finish work myself.
Three potters .................. one pot.
Of course of the hundred or so pieces of pottery in my collection, it is the last piece I would ever part with.

 

[LanceMac10]

Depends on your goals. But generally speaking, without some experienced guidance, you'll probably end up with a mediocre tree. That's fine......

But the idea of "wine 'em, dine 'em, drop 'em off at your buddies house for the night just doesn't sound right.

 

[leatherback]

Given that he is a six hour drive away, I will need to make a weekend out of it

Sounds like an excellend weekend. Would love to tag along. Sigh.

 

[weetree3]

Can anyone recommend a professional to provide the initial styling on a few Itoigawa? Would like to drive my trees there. How about someone located in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana or Missouri?

 

[rockm]

Can anyone recommend a professional to provide the initial styling on a few Itoigawa? Would like to drive my trees there. How about someone located in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana or Missouri?

might post pics of what you're planning on taking to a professional. If they're not more than seedlings or saplings, you might have issues with getting a one-on-one session in favor of a class with others...

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Tyler Sherard is much closer to you. He has styled a tree that won Kokufu. He doesn’t promote himself as well as Bjorn, but his bonsai work is every bit as good, if not better.

Funny you should mention this... just dropped him an email earlier this week and waiting to hear back from him.

 

[rockm]

And if they didn’t they would be remiss. Caretakers?

One of the first "Caretakers" who helped with caring for the trees was John Naka, so I use that term loosely.

 

[sorce]

I'm a no.

The relationship is too intimate, mostly the hort half.

If the professional has and keeps, understands that intimate relationship, sure....

But yeah, one night stands aren't fully respectful of the tree.

Sorce

 

[weetree3]

might post pics of what you're planning on taking to a professional. If they're not more than seedlings or saplings, you might have issues with getting a one-on-one session in favor of a class with others...

I will send pictures if you think that would help. The trees were grown by Ed Clark and they are about 12 years old. I have been letting them get use to their new climate for the last 2 years.