AusBonsai

why is a good Nebari so important and what should I look for?

JME, nebari ( root spread ) is important to create continuity between the soil line and the tree, also to provide the impression of age and strength about the tree.

You should be looking for different things, depending on what style of tree you are looking to create.
But as a general rule you look for taper and even spread on a 360 degree view. If you type nebari into YouTube you will find some very good videos that will show you in detail.

Jason

The roots of older trees thicken and eventually push up out of the soil. We see this on trees we know are really old so when we see strong nebari we assume the tree is old. Strong roots anchoring atree gives the impression of stability. Those roots would withstand really strong wind, etc. We want our bonsai to appear strong and permanent so good nebari gives this impression to the viewer.
Look for old, impressive trees in your area and you will often see the strong nebari. The buttressed bases on some of the figs and some other rainforest species that should occur in your area are a classic example of brilliant nebari. Compare old ones with younger trees to see the difference. Look also at taper. Young trees are like telephone poles - similar thickness from base to apex. Older trees are massive at the base and taper up to thinner branches and trunk toward the top. (perspective also helps make upper parts appear thinner)

That is, in my opinion, good nebari. But essentially if you can achieve that your a gun.

-mo

nebari should have first and full consideration in plant selection and first styling--many people make the mistake of leaving crossed up and messy roots to be dealt with later-----once they are sorted or a plan to move or remove is done then the choice of front ,first branch,back branch etc can go ahead-----nebari can determine whether it should be an formal upright through to cascade--you will never have an A class tree with average nebari

Mo, awesome nebari on what I reckon would be a pretty impressive azalea, to achieve that you will have live a very very long life. I am certainly hoping I do to achieve all my bonsai aims.

MattA wrote:Mo, awesome nebari on what I reckon would be a pretty impressive azalea, to achieve that you will have live a very very long life. I am certainly hoping I do to achieve all my bonsai aims.

I should clarify, that's not my tree haha. Just in case you thought it was ..

I chose this pic because it has balance... often I see Nebari that goes toooooooo far out for the trunk. Just looks like a nipple in the end.