Fri 28 Dec 2007
2007 Cotoneaster horisontalis, Mame-bonsai
Winter time shows the beauty of the almost naked branches, with only few leaves and some nice red berries left from fall. It has taken almost ten years from the tree was started from raw nursery material. 
Still a few seasons are needed to develop the branch structure more. This is a more complicated task now, because some areas are ready to be maintained as they are, or need slightly to be restored, and others need further development and refinement.
The left side of the tree is developed as I want it, but the right side lacks refinement. So the trimming of the two areas are essential to gain success, pushing more energy to the right side of the canopy, without taking out the growth too much of the left.
Winter time is a perfect time to study the naked branches in detail, thinking of the work to come in early spring and later on, planning what to do in future. Winter may seem as a dead period, dark and cold (at least here in Northern Europe), but at this time of year many Shohin looks fantastic without leaves. Naked is good, also when it comes to trees. 
I moved to a new house in the fall. I am now building up a new bonsai area to maintain and enjoy my bonsai. I am looking forward to the spring repotting, but will use these winter days to study some of my bonsai closer and make small adjustments where appropriate.
