The last 2 trees I would like to share do have some something in common...The trees belong to Mr. Jay and myself, but both were grown and pre-trained by forum member Andy Graham...Both of these trees have been shown in the clubs last 2 exhibits, and in both they were the obvious 'peoples choice' with Mr. Jay's banyan [first photo] a definite leader...It was the most asked about, and surprisingly the most photographed tree in the exhibit...At the Asian Festival I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of people that had their photograph taken with this tree...The tree was like a magnet to the viewers...
One thing happened with my tree that I must admit, was very unexpected but caused me to swell with pride...I was standing reasonably close to the tree when an elderly Japanese gentleman was viewing the tree, paying much attention to all viewable sides...He got down to where he could look up into the canopy from below, then stretched around to attempt to view all sides...After some time looking he turned to me and ask...Your tree?...I stepped over closer and replied yes...He pointed to the species tag and said "not Japanese", to which I related to him, this was a tropical species, and shared some information about the species...After a bit more conversation his comment made my day when he told me "This tree is not bonsai"...I agreed with him, and he went on to tell me "but very good poonsai" [phonetic for pensai]...The gentleman was obviously somewhat knowledgeable of bonsai yet he recognized the 'Chinese' influence in the tree...We then spent some time discussing the deadwood, and he had quite an interest in the way which I had treated it to preserve it...
I know Mr. Jay also had many conversations at the exhibit, and hope he will share some of his thoughts and experiences...
Regards
Behr
__________________
As the Master departed the workshop,
he could have sworn he heard some
one saying rather loudly...
"I thought he would never leave"
San Antonio Bonsai Society, Inc.