Malus - crab apple - fall 2017

Crab Apple; Malus.

Today versus a few years ago.
I like the progression so far.
It is still years away from a proper pot.

Larix Kaempferi fall 2017

Larix Kaempferi (japanese larch). 29th oct 2017.
In the front, a small slate with a local ironstone on top.

Bought somewhere between 2000-2002 as young raw material prepared for group planting. Aging for more than 15 years, and the current shape is a restyling from the first styling (not literati) since many years.

Mushrooms !

Mushroom plantation...
Healthy soil, healthy tree.

Alder double-trunk progression

Today, this one also made another step forward. Last picture is the 'before'.

Alder, alnus glutinosa.

European Hornbeam progression

Today the european Hornbeam made another step forward. You cannot have doubts for too long, if you want progression. The look will now better fit the 'veteran tree' bonsai look I am aiming for. Last picture is the 'before'. A week after this, I did some carving on the 'new' top (see second picture)

Fall colours in Rowan Tree #2

Fall finally arrived last week in my little Rowan (Sorbus Aucuparia) tree.

A picture I did not see earlier than today, about the bonsaitour in the city of Deinze (Belgium) on 27th oct. 2017 because of the 40th anniversary of the Flemish Bonsai Association (Vlaamse Bonsai Vereniging). Here I'm having a chat with one of the visitors to the tour, whist working on a prebonsai Alder. Fun, and fantastic weather that day.

Hazel - update 22th oct 2017

Hazel (Corylus avellana).
collected early april 2015.
not yet ready for a slab or rough bonsai pot.

The image I am aiming for is a bushy low and broad canopy with natural look.

Hawthorn, removing the airlayer

Hawthorn, crataegus monogyna.

Airlayered in early march (still in wintertime, whilst repotting !) and removed today 22th oct 2017.
Back to life in a trainingpot. First year in this plastic pot and after that 2 years in big flat wooden box to strengthen the new roots.

More Fall

Fall is not a boring season for a bonsaïsto.
It is an exciting time as well as a relaxing time. Exciting to see colours appear, to see leaves fall, to see buds preparing for winter, to see mushrooms and moss thrive.
And, a time to relax and look back on the growing season... has it resulted in enough growth, more branches. Following the development over the years is big fun. Even if you have mainly prebonsai and it takes years to build up trees before refining and maturing can even start.

I love fall. I love native species in fall.

Common Alder: 2 years in pot (of which 1 year in pond basket)

pretty good spreading of the branches

Another Common Alder: I really like the trunk shape and natural feel of the branch structure. I will love training this one in the years to come

again Common Alder: second year in pot. This one seems to develop a bit slower. The growth is not as strong as with the other Alders. Perhaps it needs more pot. 

European Rowan Tree (Sorbus Aucuparia). Harvested in april 2015. 

Since this year in proper bonsai pot, but needs a lot more ramification.

Small Rowan tree in Fall colours

The smallest one of my two (european) Rowan trees (Sorbus Aucuparia) in fall colour.
Never say native species can't compete with exotic species when it comes to fall colours.

Birch and Field Maple in the fall

Silverbirch (Betula Pendula), 'homegrown' from seedling in 2008.
Field Maple (Acer Campestre), partly regrown and rebuilt from small prebonsai material