BONSAI FOCUS 2016-2 EN PREVIEW

72 Bonsai Focus
TECHNIQUE
Sowing the seeds...5
Fagus: The challenge is to create a finished tree starting from zero
Text and photography: Kinbon magazine, Japan Illustrations: Kyousuke Gun
One of the ultimate challenges in bonsai is to create a tree from seed.
This time we focus on beech and follow it through the years from seed to a formal upright
Leaf and seed type
In places with strong wind, you will see trees growing into shapes
that defy imagination. 1,700 m / 5,577 ft elevation.
Low elevation trees
Seeds are smaller
High elevation tree
Seeds are larger
Leaves are large,
thinner and
the edge is less
defined
Leaves are small and
leathery, the leaf edge is
finely toothed
Seed shape
Seed
Relatively flat
Leaf starts to twist
slightly
Trees growing at a higher elevation tend
to have more compact growth habit,
smaller leaves and whiter bark
Popular variety
Beech (Fagus) is a deciduous species that
grows up to 30m / 98' tall and has an alternate
leaf structure with oval or elliptically
shaped leaves with serrated edges.
There are several different varieties growing
in Japan, with high and low elevation
varieties showing distinct differences in
leaf and bark characteristics. The most
popular variety used in bonsai is the
white barked high elevation variety found
in more northerly areas.
More specifically, the best trees come
from the Pacific Ocean side of Mount
Fuji or from the Mount Odaigahara area
of Nara Prefecture, both of which have
extremely small leaves. So called 'Fuji-
Buna' are the most popular among bonsai
enthusiasts.
Beech is appreciated throughout the
year for its beautiful white bark, for the
shimmer of the buds as they break in the
spring, the refreshing green foliage in the
summer and the brown autumnal foliage.
No other tree gives the same image of a
high mountain deciduous tree throughout
the four seasons as well as beech.
In terms of shape and style, the traditional
image of large trees is one of a
formal upright, straight trunked tree, but
beeches are often made into forests, too.
It's a species that thickens rapidly and is
a good candidate for growing from seed
as the techniques are not too difficult and
it is relatively easy for beginners.
The most important thing when growing
from seed or seedling is to use a variety
that has good leaf characteristics.