Memory Lane – Keith’s “Joy of Bonsai” Juniper

Keith started with a Beginners Course at my old place some 20 years ago and still attends classes on a regular basis. It’s not that he’s a slow learner…..far from it……he now has a large and superb collection of bonsai which are a true credit to him.

It’s just that over the years his enthusiasm and dedication has never faltered and just like the rest of us he appreciates that there will always be something new to learn. Keith is a past winner of the UK’s New Talent contest and he represented the country in the European Final at the World Bonsai Federation’s Congress in Munich.

Keith has demonstrated at bonsai clubs and also at major UK bonsai events. It was at one of these events, Dan Barton’s “Joy of Bonsai” in Bath 2003 when the featured Juniper first arrived on the scene.

I believe the Juniper had originated from Korea and Keith purchased it from me as a piece of raw material. In the picture above you can appreciate from the tree itself and the photograph on Keith’s bench just how far this tree has come.

The tree has attended several classes over the years and has developed very well. The first picture below shows how the tree looked when it was exhibited in Newstead 3 our bonsai extravaganza in September 2008.

Recently the tree was brought to one of my midweek classes. It had been cleaned out and totally wired. It was now becoming too dense and the beautiful shari/live vein were somewhat hidden.

 Repositioning the branches the first thing was to remove a branch in the centre which would open up a view into the tree.

Several large branches were becoming too long/strong and had to be removed.

We were now able to style the tree letting in more light and creating a taller less dense canopy that was more in sympathy with the size of the trunk and it’s splendid deadwood.

From humble bonsai beginnings this tree really has come such a long way……..but then so has it’s proud owner…….