Bay Island Bonsai 6th Annual Bonsai Exhibit

An Exhibit of Fine Bonsai (TM)

Catlin elm grove

Hayward, CA-

What could be called the premier bonsai exhibition in the United States drew spectators and hopeful bidders from across the nation recently. Staged by Bay Island Bonsai and sensei Boon Manakitivipart, 41 displays including over 55 trees and dozens of accessory plantings, suiseki (viewing stones), and hanging scrolls make up this formal exhibition of fine bonsai. What makes this exhibition rank so highly among knowledgeable bonsai hobbyists?

One of the exciting aspects of this event is its insistence on excellence. A poorly designed or prepared tree that is well developed will not be shown, but a well done tree that shows promise may make it in. In fact, a five year retrospective book detailing trees exhibited in past years shows the advances made by some of these trees in the last few years of their training. Using the principles learned from Boon, club members have advanced these trees to a level seldom seen in the U.S.

Another fascinating aspect of this exhibition is its use as a teaching opportunity. Docent tours are held throughout the day. Knowledgeable club members guide visitors through the show, explaining the principles of formal bonsai display, answering questions about the trees and their training, and pointing up important or famous trees. Last but not least, the Show Prep Intensive deals exclusively with the work of preparing trees, pots, stands, and accessories for exhibit.

Twin-trunk zuisho Japanese white pine

An auction is held annually, making available superior bonsai stock from collected specimens (yamadori) as well as nursery-grown material. These trees are in various stages of bonsai development, from just established in a training pot, to fully styled. One happy development this year saw a young girl donating three of her father's old trees to the auction with the stipulation that all proceeds go directly to the International Red Cross tsunami relief effort.

While the quality of the photography leaves a great deal to be desired, it seems the quality of the bonsai still shines through.

Japanese black pine in the informal upright style. This tree has been raised from a seedling cutting and grown in the ground. This is the first time it has been displayed.	This catlin elm forest was quite a hit.
This famous spruce over rock was featured in the original Sunset book of bonsai. I apologize for the quality of the photo.	A very natural appearance is crucial for a trident maple forest.
A fine example of the formal upright style Japanese black pine.	My choice as well, this corkbark chinese elm won Members' Choice for small deciduous tree.
The main tree in closer view.	A closeup of the corkbark elm's ramification. Notice the buds just beginning to open. Normal for the San Francisco Bay area.
Japanese black pine, informal upright, three point display with suiseki and accessory plant.	Japanese flowering apricot, prunus mume, or ume in the japanese. The secondary tree is shimpaku juniper.
Sierra juniper in the two-line semi-cascade style.