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Memory Lane – Cedrus Atlantica Glauca

Looking back….we can tell a tree’s story…..admire an image…..capture a moment…..remember a special event…..be inspired – to create a memory for tomorrow. 

I hope you enjoy this regular peep into some of John’s bonsai history.

Memory Lane – Cedrus Atlantica Glauca
I think it was around November 1999 when I did my first demo for the Norfolk Bonsai Club. I had taken with me this rather large garden Cedar with the idea of making it a bit smaller….a bit more manageable…. and hopefully a bit more like a bonsai.
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Wired, bent and twisted, by the end of the evening the tree was certainly smaller, just as heavy, but undoubtedly more like a bonsai……I was generally pleased with the outcome.
The third picture shows the tree in 2001.
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During 2001 the tree continued to grow well and the wire had to be removed….the tree lost it’s shape. Time for some judicious pruning, some work on the deadwood jin/shari and eventually a rewiring.
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The third picture above was taken by Paul Goff in his studio. Craig Coussins had asked me to do an article for his new book “The Bonsai School” and so I decided to tell the story of this Cedar. Paul obliged by providing me with a studio shot of the tree’s current position.
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The story continued…..the tree continued to grow…….refinement of the branches and extensive smaller bud development was a joy to watch. The first picture was in April 2005 whilst the next four pictures were taken later in the summer. You will see he is now in a ceramic bonsai pot.
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The last picture above was taken in July 2006. Colour, growth and vigour are excellent. He now has a nice new Walsall Studio pot.
It was shortly after this that the tree and I sadly parted company. A bonsai enthusiast was seriously interested in the tree and after much deliberation I finally decided to sell him. We had come a long way together but maybe it was time for him to have a new life, a new beginning. Ironically his new owner came from Norfolk and was there when he was created with the first styling. I hope he is still going strong in his new home.