General Information
Purchase Date – March 2021
Original Owner – Ed Clark
Estimated Age – 8+ yrs (as of 2023)
March 2021
I had the privilege of acquiring this tree from none other than the legendary Ed Clark. While visiting his nursery, my attention was immediately drawn to this trident, captivated by its impeccable taper. In those early days, my criteria were simple – I sought out trees with captivating movement and elegant taper, driven by my newfound enthusiasm for the art of bonsai.
March 2022
A year later, armed with a wealth of newfound knowledge, I embarked on a transformative journey with this tree. I delved into various techniques, incorporating defoliation and strategic cutbacks. An essential facet of this evolution was affording the branches the opportunity to extend, facilitating their thickening to emphasize not just the trunk’s taper, but also that of the branches. However, this journey was not without challenges. In 2022, I grappled with a persistent issue: the emergence of black or brown tips on the foliage. This perplexing concern led me to investigate my water quality, uncovering a staggering 577 TDS, a factor that I promptly addressed to rectify the issue.
August 2023
Thanks to my mentors, I’m growing my bonsai knowledge. This tree is benefiting from proper care: I’m watering it correctly, using techniques to enhance ramification, and encouraging extensions to thicken the trunk and branches while ensuring good taper. In 2023, I repotted the tree, opting for a bare-root approach and placing it in a wooden-box for improved health. Winter will reveal the progress I’ve achieved.
