One reason for creating a tanuki is to give "new life" to a fantastic and probably ancient piece of deadwood, which for me is from the southwestern deserts of the US. Land management agencies typically consider dead trees firewood and allow collecting without a permit. I'd rather collect "firewood" and make tanuki than dig up live trees that aren't likely to survive anyway. I was curious why you chose the juniper variety you did. Why not something with more compact foliage, like chinensis, or kishu shimpaku? Also, bead blasting provides a nice effect, eerily similar to the texture of deadwood on bristlecone pines living at 4,000 meters in the White Mountains east of Yosemite National Park. Some of the oldest trees on earth, they've been subjected to literally thousands of years of high winds blasting them with ice and sand. You make truly enjoyable, interesting content. You deserve way more subscribers.
John, thanks so much for your comments. I think there is definitely a place for tanuki in bonsai, and although my title is a little click baity I believe so long as you are not creating it with bad intentions, like selling it without advising the customer that it’s a tanuki, then there is nothing wrong with it. For that matter, how is creating a tanuki any different to creating root over rock for instance? 🤔 Thank you for positive comments on the deadwood finish from the blasting. I am very pleased with the aged appearance. Given I only created this planting 3 years ago I am excited to see what it will look like in another 10 years. You ask a very valid question about my choice of juniper. Someone also asked me a little while ago why I don’t graft better foliage onto it, seeing as the planting has already been done. At the time I used what I had, it’s as simple as that. In South Africa scale junipers with nice foliage is very hard to find. However although it was not planned this way, I think it’s always good for UA-camrs like me to use material where possible that viewers are likely able to afford or have access to. I appreciate that this will depend on where in the world the viewer is, I would like to appeal to a South African audience as I would like to contribute in whatever way I can to the development of bonsai in my country. But you are of course correct, something with better foliage would have most likely been advisable. I do see working with this foliage as a challenge which I am up for and I think the final result could be interesting in that it won’t have crisp, clean foliage pads. Thank you for your kind comment about my channel. Well, you could certainly help by telling others about it, something I would very much appreciate John. Thanks once again.
@@TerryErasmusbonsai Terry - Obviously, I agree with you or I wouldn't have just started several kishu shimpaku air layers on a specimen I bought specifically for growing whips to apply to several fantastic deadwood pieces I've collected. And you bet I tell people about your channel. Thanks for your informative response. - John
Very good information. Well presented and explained. I’ve learned what I need to change and address on our inherited tanuki. Screwing the live to the dead is intriguing, and appears to work better than various forms of strapping it. Thank you.
Thanks so much for that feedback. Yes, using screws for an existing tanuki is a solution but try to use screws with the smallest head possible to reduce the size of the resulting scar which will be left.
Wow - this tanuki has really progressed since its first creation! That protruding live vein is melding quite nicely and convincingly to the stump now. Amazing how foliage pad creation can bring the whole composition to life! I love the term 'Phoenix Graft' - really captures the idea of bringing new life to worthy old specimens and letting them live on in a different capacity. Much appreciate your wiring tutorial. Will be super helpful when I approach the Canadian autumn season - haven't had much opportunity to practice with my young material yet.
Thank you Sue. Yes, I am so happy with the progress myself, it has after all only been 3 years since I combined the elements. I’m not actually sure where the term Phoenix graft comes from but I agree it is very apt. Good luck with the wiring when you get there. Becoming adept with wiring opens up many creative opportunities with your trees.
Great vid. I particularly appreciate the explanations regarding the limp foliage of Junipers available to us here in SA and the techniques to remedy this. Thanks Terry
I would appreciate your advice on digging out an "urban yamadori" ,ie garden planted Juniper... When would you suggest is the best time to dig out a "rather old", say 30 years, junipers from the garden?
Great video again Terry! A quick question on the dead wood, how did you secure it to the container? Did you retain any roots from the dead tree for stability or is it entirely wired?
Thanks so much! You can read much more in depth information on how I created this tree in this blog I wrote: www.bonsaitree.co.za/blogs/tree-talk/tanuki-bonsai
I believe a tanuki can become a valuable bonsai if made with care and creativity.💚
I agree Emy. In your view am I on the right track with this one?
Hell yeah! More Tanuki! Love from Brazil 🇧🇷
I like your attitude Justin! Thanks so much! 🙏🏻
One reason for creating a tanuki is to give "new life" to a fantastic and probably ancient piece of deadwood, which for me is from the southwestern deserts of the US. Land management agencies typically consider dead trees firewood and allow collecting without a permit. I'd rather collect "firewood" and make tanuki than dig up live trees that aren't likely to survive anyway.
I was curious why you chose the juniper variety you did. Why not something with more compact foliage, like chinensis, or kishu shimpaku? Also, bead blasting provides a nice effect, eerily similar to the texture of deadwood on bristlecone pines living at 4,000 meters in the White Mountains east of Yosemite National Park. Some of the oldest trees on earth, they've been subjected to literally thousands of years of high winds blasting them with ice and sand.
You make truly enjoyable, interesting content. You deserve way more subscribers.
John, thanks so much for your comments.
I think there is definitely a place for tanuki in bonsai, and although my title is a little click baity I believe so long as you are not creating it with bad intentions, like selling it without advising the customer that it’s a tanuki, then there is nothing wrong with it. For that matter, how is creating a tanuki any different to creating root over rock for instance? 🤔
Thank you for positive comments on the deadwood finish from the blasting. I am very pleased with the aged appearance. Given I only created this planting 3 years ago I am excited to see what it will look like in another 10 years.
You ask a very valid question about my choice of juniper. Someone also asked me a little while ago why I don’t graft better foliage onto it, seeing as the planting has already been done. At the time I used what I had, it’s as simple as that. In South Africa scale junipers with nice foliage is very hard to find.
However although it was not planned this way, I think it’s always good for UA-camrs like me to use material where possible that viewers are likely able to afford or have access to. I appreciate that this will depend on where in the world the viewer is, I would like to appeal to a South African audience as I would like to contribute in whatever way I can to the development of bonsai in my country.
But you are of course correct, something with better foliage would have most likely been advisable. I do see working with this foliage as a challenge which I am up for and I think the final result could be interesting in that it won’t have crisp, clean foliage pads.
Thank you for your kind comment about my channel. Well, you could certainly help by telling others about it, something I would very much appreciate John.
Thanks once again.
@@TerryErasmusbonsai Terry - Obviously, I agree with you or I wouldn't have just started several kishu shimpaku air layers on a specimen I bought specifically for growing whips to apply to several fantastic deadwood pieces I've collected. And you bet I tell people about your channel. Thanks for your informative response. - John
@johnholloway691 thanks so much John. I really appreciate that vote of confidence
Always very motivational watching a professional bonsai artist at work. Very inspirational. Thank you Terry. 😊
Thanks so much Gora! You are too kind.
Saludos máster que buen trabajo saludos de México
¡Muchas gracias! Me alegro de que lo hayas disfrutado y saludos desde Sudáfrica. 🙏🏻
Really helpful thank you
I am so glad to hear that 🙏🏻
so wonderful, my friend
Thanks so much! Appreciate it. 🙏🏻
This is the first video I have seen on this subject!
Oh? Then I am glad you saw it first here. Hope it was inspiring.
Such a great job. I will try and use this methods.
Excellent! I am very glad, good luck and enjoy the process.
Very interesting technique!👍👍👍
Ah Roberto! Thanks so much as always.
Very good information. Well presented and explained. I’ve learned what I need to change and address on our inherited tanuki. Screwing the live to the dead is intriguing, and appears to work better than various forms of strapping it. Thank you.
Thanks so much for that feedback. Yes, using screws for an existing tanuki is a solution but try to use screws with the smallest head possible to reduce the size of the resulting scar which will be left.
Wow - this tanuki has really progressed since its first creation! That protruding live vein is melding quite nicely and convincingly to the stump now. Amazing how foliage pad creation can bring the whole composition to life! I love the term 'Phoenix Graft' - really captures the idea of bringing new life to worthy old specimens and letting them live on in a different capacity. Much appreciate your wiring tutorial. Will be super helpful when I approach the Canadian autumn season - haven't had much opportunity to practice with my young material yet.
Thank you Sue. Yes, I am so happy with the progress myself, it has after all only been 3 years since I combined the elements.
I’m not actually sure where the term Phoenix graft comes from but I agree it is very apt.
Good luck with the wiring when you get there. Becoming adept with wiring opens up many creative opportunities with your trees.
Nice Terry,lots of work done,well done meneer.Herman
Thank you kindly Herman! Appreciate it.
Absolutely amazing. I’m inspired and in awe. Thank you
Thanks so much Brian! Very kind of you. 🙇🏼♂️
Great vid. I particularly appreciate the explanations regarding the limp foliage of Junipers available to us here in SA and the techniques to remedy this.
Thanks Terry
... And of course by using the tanuki approach one can create something really special in our country with what is available.
I would appreciate your advice on digging out an "urban yamadori" ,ie garden planted Juniper... When would you suggest is the best time to dig out a "rather old", say 30 years, junipers from the garden?
And any other after care. Thank you Terry
Yes. This is what I hope to convey through the video. Thanks.
Ok. I will comment on that in your next comment
Great video again Terry! A quick question on the dead wood, how did you secure it to the container? Did you retain any roots from the dead tree for stability or is it entirely wired?
Thanks so much! You can read much more in depth information on how I created this tree in this blog I wrote: www.bonsaitree.co.za/blogs/tree-talk/tanuki-bonsai
@@TerryErasmusbonsai wow very detailed steps, looks like a great resource I can refer to. Thanks again!
@user-oc7kz3iv2b my pleasure and I hope it helps you create your own tanuki!
Free masterclass....thanks for sharing...great video
Thanks so much! 🙇🏼♂️
How do you keep the dead 'trunk' from rotting and how do you mount it in the pot?
Great questions! Read more about how I created this tanuki here: www.bonsaitree.co.za/blogs/tree-talk/tanuki-bonsai
@@TerryErasmusbonsai Thank you for your reply! Love your videos!
Nice one Terry!!
Thank you kindly! 🙏🏻
Thanks🤝
Thank you.
Ini sangat menakjubkan❤
Thanks so much! I appreciate the compliment
Do you worry about having termites or other burrowing insects if you say don't treat deadwood in a few years?
No. I’ve never had that problem.
Love your channel, hate tanuki.
No worries. I understand you perfectly.