I like Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris and also many of it’s different cultivars. This bonsai is the common Scots pine, not a special variety. It began as a one gallon pot seedling in 1970 which cost me $5. The tree developed nicely into a masterpiece specimen in 2008. I sold the bonsai to a client in 2006 and she displayed it in the 1st US National Bonsai Exhibition in 2008.

1973

1978

2008

Unfortunately, the client did not care for the Scots pine correctly, the tree declined, lost a few branches and the fine established shape developed for over 40. I got the tree back in 2012 and after it became vigorous again restyling began. The tree was repotted and allowed to grow slowly.

Thinning out before wiring– January 2019

This is the year for working on the Scots pine to develop a refined appearance again. Although I’m busy now writing the 6th US National Bonsai Exhibition Commemorative Album, I took a few hours off to do some initial work on this Scots pine bonsai. I need to bring the tree to a memorial service for one of the past presidents of the Bonsai Society of Upstate New York Inc.

Branching

Root display before

Root display after

Today, all I did was to thin out the tree, no time for wiring now. But, after thinning out the tree it presented a different quiet naturalistic beauty without wire. This year compact foliage pads will be formed with wire to create a refined classical bonsai again.

Perhaps the tree will be raised to make it a more upright form. Now, all I need is to find time to wire this bonsai. Perhaps I can get Alan Adair my assistant and Curator of the Living Collection at the International Bonsai Arboretum, to wire the tree before I shape it? He is busy now wiring another major Dwarf RAF Scots pine, but it is nearly now finished.

January 2019

Scroll detail

A special scroll was used for this display featuring snowflakes. So far, and we are not nearly over yet, we have had 29″ of snow. Normally we will get over 100″ of the white stuff I hate. So, this scroll is appropriate for a winter display. This winter display included a bronze incense burner, complete with snow to suggest cold weather. Actually the temperature was 50F today, and I loved it!

However, this scroll can also be depicting falling cherry blossoms. I often use it in April and May to denote a spring seasonal event.