Tree Species: Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum)

Owner: Ian Young – NIBS member since 1993 and current club Chairperson

Potter if Known: Wallsall Ceramics

History: This is a tree with origins in Japan and was added to Ian’s collection in 2011 after seeing it on the sale benches at Willowbog Bonsai. The tree is a beautiful example of Root over rock style.The pot was originally swapped for a Wallsall Ceramics pot but was changed in 2016 to see if a shallower pot was a better option.

This tree was selected for Bonsai30 in 2016 as a top example in Ireland of Root over Rock style.

As bought in October 2011 in a narrower pot with the rock over hanging the pot rim.

New pot a few years later but the foliage mass sat too far to the right giving it an unbalanced feel.

a new branch was created at the back extending to the left to balance the image.

Spring growth

Autumn Colour

Shallower pot, was tried for a few years but of a lower quality.

As it appeared in Bonsai 30 in 2016

The trees current pot is an early Wallsall pot giving it a little more room.