World Bonsai Contest

Cork bark elm

Corylopsis spicata

Green atlas cedar

Itoigawa shimopaku

Japanese black pine

Postrata juniper

Root over rock black pine

Satsuki azalea

Shimpaku juniper

Texas ashe juniper

Zinfandel grape

Cascade-style California junipers are rare since most of these trees grow in desert plains.

This prostrata juniper has interesting curves and deadwood. Although a number of fronts would serve this tree well, the current front highlights the tree's best features.

As you can see from the tree's gnarled bark, this multi-trunk Hokkaido elm is very old. It has been trained as bonsai for many decades.

This old Japanese maple has all of the grace and beauty that make maples a popular variety for bonsai.

Although this Hinoki cypress has a massive trunk, it has only been trained as bonsai for two years.

This Japanese black pine has very fast taper that gives the tree a very sturdy look.

This California juniper was first styled by Kubota at the 1994 BCI/GSBF convention in San Jose, CA. The tree has developed well since this styling.

This Japanese white pine, 'kokonoe' is a beautiful example of the semi-cascade style.

This creeping juniper has bright blue foliage and interesting trunk movement.

Bright, multi-colored blossoms are what make satsuki azaleas one of Spring's most rewarding varieties.

Yatsubusa Japanese black pines are characterized by profuse budding and compact growth. While attractive, these trees are difficult to work with as there is little room for hands or tools between branches.

Grape vines, such as this Zinfandel, can exhibit age and character as well as almost any bonsai variety.

Itoigawa junipers grow slowly. The well developed branches reveal that this tree has been in training for a long time. The variety is most appreciated for its fine foliage and light green color.

This San Jose juniper has interesting curves and taper. It was restyled two years ago. The jin on the trunk was made over 20 years ago.

The size of this Satsuki azalea and its branch development are impressive. The flowers bloom pink in May. There are no scars along the trunk and the roots spread evenly around the base of the trunk.

This California juniper was collected in 1992 from the Mojave Desert. It was first styled five years ago. Yasuo Mitsuya commented that this tree is close to finished and that the pot suits the tree well.

These Kishu shimpakus were first planted together in May, 1990. An article recounting the history of this tree appears in Bonsai Today Online.

Twin-trunk California junipers are rare. This one was restyled in the summer of 2002. Fine branching makes the tree look big.

This Sierra juniper was split from its sibling about 20 years ago. This picture shows the tree after restyling and changing the angle at which it is potted. Such impressive deadwood could only have been styled over time by nature.

This Procumbens juniper was started from 5-gallon material in 1993. The tree has developed quickly into an impressive medium sized bonsai. At the 2002 Kimura convention in Dallas, TX, this tree took 3rd prize in a contest judged by Masahiko Kimura.