Page 97 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

97

Olive

Olea europea var. sylvestris
The deadwood tenjin
provides a counterpoint
to the compact foliage
Living hundreds of years in the wild, olives
are tough, resilient trees and respond well to
training. This small-leaf variant, like its
larger-leaf cousin, is often used for
bonsai, and to dramatic effect.
Collected specimens such as this
often have very interesting
deadwood features. Add aged
flaky bark, tiny leaves, and
compact branching, and this
example packs a punch.

Shari on the Tight foliage pads
trunk adds created by regular
age, drama, pruning to shape
and character

Take care not to Looking closer
damage the old, Top: This tiny-leaf variety
flaky bark
comes from parts of Spain, and
especially from Majorca. The
leaves persist in winter.
Center and below: The deadwood
is exactly as it was found; it has
A solid base is
essential for a thin, only been cleaned. Using tools
Key features elegant literati 20in / 50cm tall on it would introduce a sense
Courtesy of Mike Rose of the artificial.
∙The color of the live wood and
the deadwood is similar, so,
unlike junipers or Taxus, the
contrast is not as stark. Work to
ensure that the subtle difference
is maintained and the line
between the two is defined.
∙The leaves are naturally small
but they can be reduced further The tiny pot
suggests a harsh
by defoliation and by restricting
environment, yet the
the amount of fertilizer. viewer does not fear
the tree will fall over