Eucalyptus sideroxylon 'Rosea'           
        Red Flowering Ironbark
               Age of Tree : 16 years        Trained since 2002
                          Ray Nesci Bonsai Nursery

Acquired in a general nursery in a 6-inch pot. Then placed on a rock a year or two later. Looking to develop the branches with more maturity in coming years and getting them more dense in form with tip pruning.

Potted into an oval Pat Kennedy pot a couple of years ago..

Ficus rubiginosa           
        Port Jackson Fig
               Age of Tree : 29 years        Trained since 1995
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

Ficus rubiginosa is a popular bonsai specimen as it is hardy and its leaves can be reduced in size by special trimming techniques.

They readily develop strong trunks that create the illusion of a large old tree.

Leptospermum nitidum
                       'Copper Sheen'           
       Tea Tree
               Age of Tree : 15 years        Trained since 2009
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

A single tree in the distance evokes a sense of loneliness. I have tried to create that sense of isolation and loneliness in this tree.

The copper sheen of its new growth is a delight.

Callistemon sp.           
       Bottlebrush
               Age of Tree : 35 years        Trained since 1988
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

I am glad I do not know the species name of this tree as I might be tempted to warn people away from using it. Its growth pattern can be quite erratic, making it hard to get shoots where they are wanted.

However, I have learnt to work with this to create a tree that I enjoy. I like the movement in the branches and the rugged texture of the bark.

Leptospermum morrisonii
                                'White Opal'          
       Tea Tree
               Age of Tree : 15 years        Trained since 2003
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

After three years of regular trimming as a stock plant in a nursery, this tree had developed an interesting twin trunk form, with trunks and branches intertwined.

One of the trunks would make a lovely tree on its own, however I like the interplay between the two trunks and will keep them both for now.

Melaleuca bracteata           
        Black Tea Tree
               Age of Tree : 15 years        Trained since 1999
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

Acquired in a general nursery in a 6-inch pot. Then placed on a rock a year or two later. Looking to develop the branches with more maturity in coming years and getting them more dense in form with tip pruning.

Potted into an oval Pat Kennedy pot a couple of years ago.

Allocasuarina littoralis           
        Black She-oak
               Age of Tree : 30 years        Trained since 1984
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

This tree comes from seed on the south coast of NSW.  Early in life it was planted in a forest setting, but later part of a two-tree setting on its own.  Despite neglect and ‘human-induced’ drought, it has survived.  It was lanky and only its corky bark of interest as bonsai. 

In a last try before consignment to compost and mulch, intense work was done by cracking the trunk.  The tree responded with wildly angled branching that screamed excitement of at last being able to tell its story.  Now, like many an artist of great style, poise, beauty and eccentricity, it graciously but boldly beckons you to join it on its journey.

Kunzea ericoides           
        Burgan
               Age of Tree : 14 years        Trained since 2004
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

This group or forest planting was inspired by the native trees planted outside the Japanese Gardens in Cowra, NSW, and created as a demonstration at the Australian Plants as Bonsai Exhibition in 2004.

Of the seven original trees planted only two survived. In 2005 more cuttings were planted to replace those that did not survive. In 2009 seedlings from the parent tree were added to the group to allow the planting to look more natural.

The trees first flowered in November 2008.  The group is planted in a Pat Kennedy pot

Ficus rubiginosa 'Little Ruby'           
        Port Jackson Fig
               Age of Tree : 19 years        Trained since 1995
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

This tree was purchased in 1995 at the BCI convention in Sydney as a young cutting. Over time as the tree grew it was planted into larger pots and pruned mainly by the clip and grow method with occasional wiring for branch placement. Early days saw a frost or two before being very sheltered during winter.

The pot is a Pat Kennedy pot. As the leaves are very small, defoliation is occasionally carried out.

Melaleuca viminalis           
        'Captain Cook'
               Age of Tree : 6 years        Trained since 2008
                          Gloucester Bonsai Workshop

This Melaleuca started as part of a hedge that surrounded a very poor orchard at the small farm we moved into a number of years ago.  To rejuvenate the orchard, the Melaleucas had to go. Unfortunately most had very big bases, but one, perhaps a later addition to the hedge, was much smaller, with bonsai potential.  As the weather warmed into summer it was dug out and quickly potted into a polystyrene box where it grew and developed for the next 3 years. 

Enough of the root was exposed to reveal the dreaded root swirl, clear evidence that the tree had spent too long in a nursery pot before being planted out.  After a good healthy root system had developed, the swirling roots were removed one by one allowing the tree to recover and grow new roots each time. 

This year significant roots were growing in the right direction, and I was rewarded for the first time with a very impressive show of flowers in the spring.  There are still a number of roots to be re-shaped, a number of significant scars to heal, and more of the canopy to develop; but all in all a pleasing result so far.

Leptospermum sp.           
       Small Leaf Tea Tree (Plant on right hand side)
               Age of Tree : Unknown        Trained since 2013
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

Started in 2013 as part of the AusBonsai shohin competition.  Development has been relatively quick, from nursery stock to this in just over 12 months.

AND

Ficus rubiginosa           
       Port Jackson Fig (Plant on left hand side)
               Age of Tree : Unknown        Trained since 2009
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

Bought from the Weston Creek Bonsai Group show sales table in 2009. Moved into a bonsai pot in 2011. The challenge is to reduce the leaf so it is in prooportion.

Eucalyptus elata          
        River Peppermint
               Age of Tree : Unknown        Trained since 2008
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

Ground grown for three years and dug up in 2008. Training started 2010. The bark peels off yearly revealing a smooth off-white bark underneath. 

The leaves, when crushed, have a strong peppermint smell.
.

Eucalyptus paniculata           
        Grey Ironbark
               Age of Tree : Unknown        Trained since 2009
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

Ground grown for 3 years and dug up in 2008. Started work on it in 2010.

The gnarly look is the lignotuber covering the lower trunk, which has spread over the past 4 years. I removed a large root from the front and by hollowing it out have been able to hide the scar. 

Acacia pravissima           
        Golden Carpet
               Age of Tree : Unknown        Trained since 2009
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

Brought from a nursery in 2007. It was an old feature plant which had become unattractive because of its age and lack of care. Over the years I have reduced the root ball by 1/6th of its original size and highlighted the twists and turns of the branching. I cut it back hard every year and repot it every 2nd year after flowering which encourages more flowers for the following years.

As you can see the flower buds have already formed for flowering in September this year.

Calistemon sp.           
        Bottlebrush
               Age of Tree : 29 years        Trained since 2000
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

Purchased as nursery stock in the 1980s. Grown for many years as a potted garden tree.

Potential as bonsai material was noticed in the late 1990s and first styling began in 2000. Potted into its current pot in 2003.

Grevillea robusta           
        Silky Oak
                 Age of Tree : 10 years        Trained since 2005
                          Bonsai Study Group Inc

This tree was bought in 2004 from the local state forest nursery. The plant was one of nine tube stock seedlings that were to be used as a possible group planting. The seedling showed different characteristics from the other plants in that the leaves were smaller and it had already developed lower branching.  It was planted in a larger nursery pot and allowed to grow on.

It was first styled in late 2005 and planted into a small freeform Mirkwood pot in mid-2007. Planting in the current pot by Penny Davis of Mudlark Pottery, was done in Sept 2011.  Styling at this stage is mainly by clip and grow, some wiring was done in the earlier years of training but I see the bonsai as being at its finished form.

Allocasuarina torulosa           
        Forest Oak
               Age of Tree : 4-6 years        Trained since 2009-2013
                          Bonsai Study Group Inc

These plants were bought from Bonsai South as advanced starters, the first three in 2009. They were planted in a Janet Selby pot and did well for a couple of years. I particularly liked the ‘Corky’ bark which adds an aged look to even young trees. After 2 of the original trees died (due to lack of care on my part) I decided to go all out and plant a ‘forest’. 

After acquiring more plants over a period of time, a group setting of five was planted in 2012. Four more plants were added in 2013 to make the present nine planting group. In order to reduce the overall weight of the setting, cork bark, Quercus suber, sections were glued to a fibreglass slab and waterproofed on the internal surfaces. The cork and gluing has been done for a couple of years now and shows no signs of breaking down.

Care includes regular fertilising, pinching stems and keeping moss off the bark. The styling doesn’t conform to traditional bonsai styles, but I feel it’s indicative of our own native plants.

Gymnostoma australianum           
        Daintree Pine
                 Age of Tree : 4 years        Trained since 2012
                          Coffs Harbour, NSW

This tree is actually closely related to the casuarinas rather than a pine and the 'needles' are actually branches with minute leaves at the junctions.

It appears to be slow to thicken and as I have a few to play with I decided to try and create a smaller simple tree with this one.

Syzygium smithii var. minor           
        Lilly Pilly
                 Age of Tree : 8 years        Trained since 2012
                          Coffs Harbour NSW

This was a large nursery tree that I cut back to the base.

It is one of the first trees I have developed and although it has been a pleasure and a great learning tree, I feel there are a few issues that I will address by putting it back in a grow box next spring, letting the trunk and roots develop and going back to the branches in a year or so.

Ficus sp           
        Fig
                 Age of Tree : 5 years        Trained since 2011
                          Coffs Harbour, NSW

This multi trunk fig was a nursery throw out.

I first just cut the trunks back to different heights and from there it has been grown purely by clip and grow. I have had wire on it in the past but have always removed it within a day or 2 and let it grow how it grows.

Ficus rubiginosa           
        Port Jackson Fig
                 Age of Tree : 24 years        Trained since 1992
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

This tree has been in training since I purchased it as a 2 year old seedling. It has been grown gradually over the years and slowly moved into bigger pots to its current size.

It has acquired a natural fig style with many upright trunks. Figs grow very slowly in Canberra and it must be protected over winter from the frost and cold.

Leptospermum laevigatum           
        Coastal Tea Tree
                 Age of Tree : 24 years        Trained since 1994
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

This tree has been in training since it was given to me as a 2 or 3 year old twin seedling. Sometimes during the year a slight difference in growth colour can be seen in the two trees even though they have now fused together.

It has been shaped mostly by clip and grow and the style has just emerged over the years without an overall master plan.

Baeckea sp.           
        Baeckea
                 Age of Tree : 24 years        Trained since 1990
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

From a seed of an ancient miniature ‘tree’ that served as a pedestal for wallabies watching waves from a coastal cliff on south coast NSW.  The parent had a trunk perhaps 4 cm in diameter but only about 0.5 m tall.  It grows readily, but sparingly puts on trunk growth, making its parent seem very old indeed. 

In summer it is covered with prolific, tiny white flowers.  Its naturally angular zig-zagging lines are attractive, reminiscent of the cliffs below its home on the coast.  Its delicate form and beauty belies its tenacity and strength for life.  Its pot recalls the rocky cliff-edges where it started life.  It is a delight for eye, mind and soul.

Melaleuca linariifolia           
        Flax-Leaved Honey-Myrtle
                 Age of Tree : 27 years        Trained since 1990
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

Hails from advanced nursery stock used in a public demonstration in 1990.  It was full of surprises, with two layers of roots coming from careless assembly-line repotting. 

However it has slowly become a massive tree, swallowing, or incorporating, a rock beside which it started life, but which now is hard to discern as separate entities.  Its rugged branches appear singed black by fire, but show its great capacity to regenerate.  The ‘black-white’ contrast alludes to its genus name.  Its pot speaks of low, rocky cliffs beside flowing waters of some of its native habitats.

Kunzea 'Badja Carpet'          
        Kunzea Badja Carpet
                 Age of Tree : 4 years        Trained since 2012
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

Purchased in 2011 as one of two trees as my first foray into native bonsai.

My aim is to keep it at its present size and continue to improve it.

Kunzea ericoides 'Snowman'          
             Kunzea 'Snowman'
                 Age of Tree : 4 years        Trained since 2012
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

First purchased in 2011 as one of two trees as my first foray into native bonsai.

My aim is to keep it at its present size and continue to improve it.

Callistemon viminalis
    'Dawson River' weeper
                  Bottlebrush
                 Age of Tree : 11 years        Trained since 2006
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

This bonsai started as a rejected nursery plant – on sale for a mere $5.  It initially had a forked trunk but that was soon removed to create the image of a large tree rather than that of a pot plant. 

It flowers each year in December – the number of flowers depending on how hard and when I trim the tree.

Allocasuarina littoralis           
        Black She-oak
                 Age of Tree : 14 years        Trained since 2012
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

This species is found all along the eastern Australian coast (Cape York to southern Tasmania) and inland for several hundred kilometres. 

I acquired the tree in 2012 as quite a mature specimen with limited styling options but have begun a course to make it resemble a she-oak that has experienced quite a bit of hardship in its life. The extremely fissured bark is a great (but fragile) feature of this tree.

Melaleuca ericifolia          
        Swamp Paperbark
                 Age of Tree : 10 years        Trained since 2009
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

I have been gradually reducing the size of this tree to accentuate the base and trunk – giving it the appearance of a much larger and older tree.

The flaky bark also assists in creating the image of an older tree – but it is a haven for scale pests and requires vigilance and diligence to avoid a damaging infestation . 

Callitris endlicheri           
        Black Cypress Pine
                 Age of Tree : 12 years        Trained since 2006
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

This tree has a propensity for its new growth to head upwards and it is a constant struggle to maintain a spread of growth more in line with that of an older specimen. 

The density of foliage and primary branch structure is designed so as to resemble a tree that is battling less than ideal growing conditions.  The bark is aging well and aids the image of an older tree

Banksia integrifolia           
        Coast Banksia
                 Age of Tree : ~40 years        Trained since ~1992
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

This tree has been in training since I purchased it as a piece of nursery stock in 1992.  It has been grown gradually over the years and slowly moved into bigger pots to its current size. 

It has recently had a major overhaul that was catalogued in the most recent BCI bonsai magazine.  The tree was tilted to the right and the lowest right hand branch of the tree will be allowed to elongate further to the right as well.

Callitris glaucophylla           
        White Cypress Pine
                 Age of Tree : ~26 years        Trained since ~1988
                          Canberra Bonsai Society

This tree has been in training since it was dug out of the ground near Wagga Wagga as a 2 or 3 year old seedling.  It has been grown gradually over the years and slowly moved into bigger pots to its current size. 

It has recently been overhauled into a weeping style that is natural to the tree with age.

Sannantha pluriflora           
        Heath Myrtle
                 Age of Tree : 12 years        Trained since 2004
                          Gloucester Bonsai Workshop

This Sannantha was collected as a young seedling from the garden some 10 years ago.  At first I was a little terrified of it, being my first attempt to use native materials for bonsai. 

My first attempt was a little disappointing. I almost gave up, but after some very good advice, a major style change, confidence that came from experience and a little research, I learnt how and when to prune both the roots and the canopy to encourage the production of the much sought after flowers. 

Year by year, the number of flowers increased until this Spring, when you would have to say it was in full bloom.

Callistemon 'Princess' /                  Sannantha virgata          
        Bottlebrush/Baeckea
                       Age of Tree : Unknown        
                               Trained since : Unknown
                                    Bonsai Study Group Inc

     These plants were bought from Ray Nesci Bonsai as advanced starters in 2006. The first impression was of the very small leaf size and the smaller flowers. A group planting was envisaged from the start, and they were originally planted on a fibreglass slab with a muck wall surround, an unsatisfactory setting as the muck had to be repaired frequently.                        

When a suitable freeform Chinese pot was found in 2009, the group was replanted including the addition of 3 baeckeas.  The setting includes a background of mallee root and a prominent dead tree.

To me, it symbolises a typical Australian bush saikei.