Heavy Bending in Bonsai Intensive

Here is a tree that belongs to Boon. In the intensive classes you get to do more advanced work on Boon’s trees, if he thinks you are ready. This  is going to be one of those courage-bends. Below you see a nice-enough tree, but Boon wanted a severe bend to bring the foliage a lot lower.

Rory and John C are two experienced intensive students, so they got the prep-job on the tree before they all cooperated in the bending.

Below, when the sawdust must fly, give the job to a student. Sawdust is a good look for John.

The bending was done with tools that Boon had brought back from Japan. The Japanese call the tools below “Jackie”.

Below is the finished bend. It will take about 2-3 years for the tree to add enough wood for the bend to hold. In the fall, an intensive student will get the job of wiring this tree.