More ericephalis africanus

[Grant Bowie]

IMG_6966.jpg

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More by the same grower. These were on display last year at the Royal show.

Lovely trees.(Understatement!!!!!!)

Grant

[Steven]

They sure are excellent tree's! Thanks for posting Grant. Chris has a real talent for styling the foliage in a very natural way.

Does anyone have a picture of the shohin tanuki that Koji did his critique on? That was a sweet little tree!

Steven

[Grant Bowie]

Another from the same show.

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[treeman]

I've looked at these 10 times now.

I know I will get an avalanche of criticism but I don't particularly think they are so wonderful.

My reasons: The first one has obviously been dug out of the ground, placed in a bonsai pot and the remaing live part grown into a rounded mass. It appears to me that very little thought has been given to the harmony between the ''wild'' branch formation and the green canopy. I see no balance. It's almost like the top has been taken from another tree and superimposed on the base. The tree has very strong movement to the right yet the top is very symmetrical. In fact it has more weight to the left than the right.

The second one I think is much better with a better harmony in the general movement of the tree. But the top still gives me the impression of being too divorced from the rest of the tree.

The third one is interesting. But I think it needs a lot of very careful arrangement.

All three have been too rushed

We need to look more deeply at trees without getting carried away by the ''wow'' of the natural factor.

To illustrate my point, Here are some pictures that show you how these types of trees have there foliage intimately incorporated into the branch system:
http://bonsaitonight.com/2014/06/10/spe ... -junipers/

[dan.fisher92]

Its funny at first glance i was like wow thats beautiful but after reading your comments treeman it made me take a second glance... your right on most points it would seem. Still awesome specimen though thanks for sharing

[Jarad]

I really like the trees, but after reading your response Mike I can see what your talking about.

For example, the first tree has healthy dense foliage that you would expect to see on an informal/formal upright. Whereas these trees appear to be designed to imitate trees that are struggling to survive in a harsh environment.

And Mike, you shouldn't have to feel like you gotta add a tonne of these guys to your post.

But that's just

[Pearcy001]

http://bonsaitonight.com/2014/06/10/spe ... -junipers/

Those are crazy! can't believe how big they are haha.

[Rory]

I agree Mikes words certainly do give food for thought on these.

One persons confusion may well be another persons admiration.

Though as much as Mikes words ring clear, he missed the blatantly obvious.
Clearly from the first picture, it endured a harsh, unforgiving life on the edge of a rocky crevice. Unfortunately an enormous animal crapped on it at some point. The steamy poo burnt most of the foliage, and shortly after that, a poo-loving creature gorged on the entire stock. However, it was too boney and indigestible, and got caught in its mouth. It then ripped out the entire shrub and walked for many aeons before finally dislodging it from its teeth. It was then able to get a foot-hold in a new, much more calmer and peaceful environment, which explains the sudden tranquillity of growth that it received there after.

[Elmar]

Hahaha, Rory have you been to a Whiskey Tasting??

I like the Trees enough to keep looking! I can understand what Mark has said - it makes sense. I didn't, however, notice that in the beginning and really like them when they were posted, as did most. Because I don't have the skills to produce trees of this caliber, I enjoyed them greatly. Once I get the experience and skills to produce good/great trees, I may fully understand and see what it is that Mark sees.

It is a striking species, none the less and looks to be a viable alternative to the Junipers ... BOOM. This just got real! hehe.
But seriously, they are a beautiful tree even if they fall short of perfection!

[treeman]

I agree Mikes words certainly do give food for thought on these.

One persons confusion may well be another persons admiration.

Though as much as Mikes words ring clear, he missed the blatantly obvious.
Clearly from the first picture, it endured a harsh, unforgiving life on the edge of a rocky crevice. Unfortunately an enormous animal crapped on it at some point. The steamy poo burnt most of the foliage, and shortly after that, a poo-loving creature gorged on the entire stock. However, it was too boney and indigestible, and got caught in its mouth. It then ripped out the entire shrub and walked for many aeons before finally dislodging it from its teeth. It was then able to get a foot-hold in a new, much more calmer and peaceful environment, which explains the sudden tranquillity of growth that it received there after.

That completely slipped my mind!
I looked up this particular species as a matter of interest. Turns out they are just daisies not ''trees'' Not unlike Euryops species. That would make them 15 to 20 years old tops. They probably won't live much past 30 years at a guess.
I had a Euryops pectinatus in my garden which was 16 years old. It looked just like that (but not so much dead wood). Unfortunately the have very soft ''wood'' if you can call it that and it just won't last. This also reduces the value of these bonsai drastically.

[peterb]

Hi Mike Thanks for posting those ( I'm stumped for words to describe them ) sierra junipers. they are mind blowing
regards
peterb