Yamadori and Bonsai material from Tony Tickle

An ancient Oak through the seasons Animation

Tony Tickle — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:33:08 +0000

These images were sent to me ages ago, I have been wondering what to do with them, I do not know who sent them to me so I cannot credit the photographer (they are watermarked but I cannot make out what it is)… they are rather good and it must have take a lot of patience and skill to get them so perfectly in position

Click to view slideshow.

Bending the whole trunk of a Yamadori Yew

Tony Tickle — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:33:03 +0000

This Yew Tree has been in development for many years, this was the point that I needed to bring the foliage closer to the trunk. It was a nail biting experience, but the tree survived and thrived. I will be posting more about this tree later in March.

Strange pot for a semi cascade Juniper

Tony Tickle — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:59:30 +0000

I have had this juniper for over ten years, I bought it because I wanted a Japanese Juniper in my collection, this little tree has been the most expensive tree in my garden, because I paid so much for this tree I have been reluctant to part with it, most of my collection consists of yamadori that I have collected.

This tree was originally Moyogi with set branches in a typically imported tree. However the tree suffered from vine weevil about 7 years ago and lost but one branch! It has stood in my garden looking very sorry for all this time…. In fact…many of my bonsai ‘friends’ have made fun of me for paying so much for a runt of a tree.

Some times a particular pot can stimulate an idea, this is one such pot. My friend from Holland Hans Van Meer, gave me this pot by William Vlaanderen because I believed this tree would ‘work’. The idea for this pot is Hans. I think that this runt of a tree will develop into an interesting bonsai… you saw it here first…what do you think?

I thought the headline act was suppost to be at the top

Tony Tickle — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:22:55 +0000

Unusual Kusamono

Tony Tickle — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:02:07 +0000

Here are a few more unusual Kusamono that I have in my garden, I have used some in displays.

A video of Ryan Neil featuring Randy Knight Yamadori Master Collector

Tony Tickle — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:41:31 +0000

Photo by: Walter Pall

Bonsai Mirai is the never-ending dream of bonsai professional Ryan Neil. Through his International Bonsai Mirai garden Ryan is working to create and instruct bonsai at a higher level. Check www.bonsaimirai.com for information on classes, educational opportunities, and continual updates of Ryan’s most recent work.

I have had the pleasure of being up close with both Ryan and Randy. Two guys who are shaking up the Bonsai scene in the USA. This is a new video from the guys. All I can say is ‘WATCH THESE GUYS!” its all about QUALITY.

Bonsai Potter Showcase #1 Andy Pearson Stone Monkey

Tony Tickle — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:00:01 +0000

Andy Pearson at Stone Monkey Ceramics, is the first potter to be featured in my ‘Bonsai Potter Showcase”. I will featured a new potter once a month here on my blog, other potters that have been ‘interviewed’ to date are: John Pitt, Dan Barton and David Jones of Walsall Ceramics.

I have known Andy since his early days working in ceramics and I am fortunate to have some of his early work… including his first foray into Raku. Over the years Andy has developed a keen eye for detail, his work being very much in demand by the Shohin specialist. A great artist and I advise you to buy now as The Monkeys work will be collectable pieces in the future, as has been demonstrated with Andy’s annual ‘Collector’s Edition’ pots. Limited Edition or ‘one off’ pots that have shaken up the bonsai world with their finesse and beauty.

Swindon Winter Image Bonsai Show 2012 report and Video

Tony Tickle — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:32:13 +0000

The Swindon Winter Image Bonsai Show 2012 has fast become a high point in the UK bonsai calendar. 2012 will go down as a milestone in UK bonsai excellence as the quality of display, excellence of trees and enthusiasm of the host club was truly superb. AND it was busy, I do not know the actually numbers through the door but there were a LOT of people at the show… it was also a great meet up of may of ‘the guys’ (and girls) from the UK Bonsai Scene… definitely THE place to be.

I had a speaking slot where I described the evolution of my Large Escallonia, John Armitage did a Shohin critique workshop and Ritta Cooper waxed lyrical about creating Kusamono and Shitakusa.

I was particularly pleased to have a compliment from Nobu Kaiwara about my cascade Prunus Spinosa, he considered it his favourite tree in the show, in particular its ‘natural’ styling and aged character… nice

Scroll to bottom for Video

Over 100 trees were display in all their winter glory and 11 prizes handed out at the end of the event. The event main sponsor was John Pitt Bonsai Ceramics.

Best Shohin display was by Mark & Ritta Cooper
Best Mame display was by Bob Bailey
Best Conifer was the Chinese Juniper that was owned by Martin Shepherd
Best Deciduous tree was the Trident Maple by Mark Cooper
Best Chuhin was the Elm of Will Baddeley
Best Visiting Society was the Artistic Bonsai Circle
Best Accent sponsored by John Trott was by Ian Warhurst from Wirral Bonsai Society
Best in Show was the Trident Maple of Mark Cooper
Best Tree/Pot combination was the Pyracantha by Mark Cooper
Best individual Shohin award from the British Shohin Association went to Paul Hunt of Swindon & District Bonsai Society
Special Merit award was given to Wirral Bonsai Society

For a photo record of the winners take a look at Swindon & District Bonsai Blog

Styling a Scots Pine to create an elegant image

Tony Tickle — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 08:08:27 +0000

This is a Pine that Pavel brought over for me last November when he came to Burrs with Mirek and Jakub.

I would not normally work on a pine that had only been potted the year before however this pine was responding well PLUS I used a strong strap to hole the tree firm whilst I worked.

The major branches were first wrapped in Raffia then Self Amalgamating Rubber Tape. Minor branches only had Raffia and thin branches no protection. ONLY copper wire was used.

I tend to style from the bottom up, working each branch and positioning before I wire the next. I always have the image in my head that I wish to achieve, this process saves wiring unnecessary branches.

I decided to work the deadwood after styling as I wanted the canopy to determine the size of the deadwood. On this occasion no long jins or stylised carving, only hand tools were used.

Mr. Tickle as you have never seen him before

Tony Tickle — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:31:50 +0000

In the UK there is a cartoon character called Mr. Tickle I use this as my Avatar on facebook, Twitter and various other social media applications, The image above has been floating around the web in various guises, here is my take on it!

If you have the time you can watch the video below: