A Forest Tale - New Competition: A walk in the forest and a story to boot …

[PeterH]

Hi Mark ,

Thanks for the feed back and I will consider a less advanced entry if I find suitable trees.(although I am not buying but selling the majority of my trees over the next year or 2)

Kind Regards,

Peter

[melbrackstone]

I'd love a forest like this.... ©Noel Bodie Photography

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[MJL]

Hi Mel,
What a wonderful picture and inspirational group. The trees may be a little tricky but with your skills I am sure anything is possible ...and cue the mist or smoke machine (for that final photo) .... add your camera skills... and hey, there’s gotta be a story in all that haunting beauty.






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[MJL]

Hey everyone - the response to this competition has been wonderfully positive. It’s fantastic that so many people have either already entered or are planning an entry or two. There’s plenty of time yet.

I hope it’s getting people out to their local nurseries (bonsai and general) and thinking of different options. There’s natives and exotics and everything in between. Indeed, just yesterday I was admiring my step dad’s satsuki azalea group setting and a few folk are considering mixed species plantings too. Cool. Challenging. Different. Interesting.

Along with supporting your local nurseries and potters don’t be afraid to think outside the square for both the forest design and the source. For example, in 2019, I purchased about 50 Trident maple trees (well .... mainly seedlings) off Neil (Shibui) for the first time and they are powering along. I’ve never met Neil but he’s an ardent supporter of this forum, regularly sharing his knowledge and experience... I pinged off a message to Neil and sure enough ended up purchasing some tridents; great value and the tridents are now flourishing.

I have also purchased pine seedlings off Ryceman3 and received and traded plants with TimS, Keels and other folk too.

Point being - there are plenty of great sources for trees and seedlings (and pots) across this wide land ... if you’ve got an idea but not the trees - someone’s sure to have them or point you in the right direction to experienced growers and nurseries. Buy, swap, sell, barter, gift, trade .... whatever floats your boat.

Enjoy the planning, enjoy the AusBonsai community, enjoy the comp.

Cheers,

Mark


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[Jan]

Hmmm, I'll have to go out with this fresh point of view and see what I have that can be put together. Or... what I can collect or scrounge, Hmmm.

What is the minimum number of trees for the setting to be acceptable as a "forest"? 3? 5? This will be interesting and an opportunity to use my BIG pot to house the setting.

I've always liked Walter Pall's "Fairy Tale Bonsai" so maybe a slant on that theme. So many possibilities. Oh, dear.

I'm off to have a look for likely prospects....

[MJL]

Hi Jan,

Fairy tale or nightmare ... there's a story in there somewhere.

In terms of the minimum number of trees ... at the start of this thread I noted what may 'influence' the judge(s)... so, can one shrink down and walk through it... (I know - how random and subjective is that !!) I think this point of influence may be hard to achieve with less trees... but that said, I am happy to be totally surprised. So I am not going to set a minimum ... Ok, more than one ... but my gut says it's greater than 5 ... so if we are going odd numbers... 7 up - Again, not a rule, guidance. Lower numbers will be accepted if that's what floats your boat.

Thanks for thinking of entering Jan.

(Hmmmm... "7Up" ...now there's a movie/ongoing story about progression and growth; a walk in life's forest!)

[Simonsays]

Hi all, I'm pretty new to the forum and bonsai in general but this seems a great idea. I was already toying with the idea of a ficus forest for my gf's desk at work. Maybe those plants will never make it and will end up in the competition now instead, yes, that's what will happen . I am also waiting to visit my local native nursery so maybe I'll try a native bush forest too if I can find anything suitable. Great competition idea

[MJL]

Simonsays lets get a couple of entries in the comp. Great news, and hey ...the forest can still be a present for your partner too. Thanks for your positive comments about the comp, I look forward to seeing your entries. Enjoy.


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[MJL]

Hey Everyone,
Interesting times we live in, I hope everyone is keeping physically and mentally healthy. Perhaps our hobby of bonsai is one way to take our minds to a quiet space.
Here's a list of entries so far. Hopefully this PDF works. I think I have captured everyone but please let me know if I have missed anyone.

A Forest Tale Participant List .pdf

There's plenty of time for entries yet - end of April is the nominal closing date. The opening statement in this thread and the comments and questions that follow should provide enough background.

Also - no drama if people decide not to enter but as a soft prompt - I think there was interest from Jan, Alex, Starfox and PeterH. No issues either way but sometimes life gets in the way of a bit of fun and here's a reminder of needed.

Regarding the prizes - I was speaking to Tracey at Murrumbung earlier this week and I'll try to post a couple of pics of the prize pot(s) in the near future. (Obviously not the custom pot for the winner! That will be made after the comp is finished.)

I am also thinking of having a little bit of fun with a few additional prizes too. No promises though - it does not grow on trees; the prizes or the funds to buy 'em. But I can imagine a Yoda prize for the most insightful thread; encouraging people pass on tips and ideas to help us all learn ....

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.
Perhaps a "Stephen King" prize for the best story...

....perhaps I am letting my head get away from reality. That happens far too often.

As I have always said, let's enjoy and see where we all end up.

Cheers,

Mark

[MJL]

There's been a few more entries since my last post and it's great to see so many participating. I just thought I'd do a quick call out in these isolated times and say that if you want enter... end of April is the time.

[BB Brian]

Wow. Completely missed this comp. just updated my [natural] and came across few [a forest tale] posts

I’ve got a seedling tray of elms, tridents and, crepe myrtle seedlings planted back in 2017, which I’ve been meaning to get on to, I’ll post a couple pics

Can put something together tomorrow if accepting late auditions. Lol.

[MJL]

Wow. Completely missed this comp. just updated my [natural] and came across few [a forest tale] posts

I’ve got a seedling tray of elms, tridents and, crepe myrtle seedlings planted back in 2017, which I’ve been meaning to get on to, I’ll post a couple pics

Can put something together tomorrow if accepting late auditions. Lol.

Glad you found it BB Brian. Sure .... we’ll call it closed at the end of today.


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[Akhi]

Just saw this now too and have been meaning to get my tridents in a scape. Will get some thoughts in and an upload by end of today.

[BB Brian]

Thanks MJL

Here’s what I’m working with and will have each group by EOD

[Jan]

Oh, you are sooo right with life getting in the way.

Meant to get an entry in but didn't get there by April 30- is the cut off date "hard & fast"?

I will go ahead with my projects anyway. I have the inevitable Trident maple cuttings in and striking for one forest and will try another very small forest using creeping fig (grown as cuttings but looking like tiny trees).

These forests will happen either way but let me know if I can sneak them in the back door to join the group.

Thanks,

Jan