Silverberry aka "Fat Albert"

This Silverberry (eleagnus pungens) is the bonsai that gave me the idea for "sumo style" bonsai more than 15 years ago. It is 21 inches tall and 36.5 inches around the base of the trunk. The pot is by Sara Rayner.
Below is a link with some info about "sumo"

Regarding the name, "Fat Albert", it refers to a 1970's Bill Cosby comedy routine about a boyhood friend

http://www.absbonsai.org/articles/sumo.html

I really like this tree. The trunk is excellent. I like the pot as well

But Oh, if most of the sumo trees I see today looked like this one, I'd quit nattering about them. But tipis with tassels simply don't cut it as trees for me.

And I do wish more people in this country would try Elaeagnus (I always have to look up that spelling!) as bonsai.

Yes Jim, you are correct about the spelling. I left out an "a". You would think I'd know better by now.

It is a very mature and interesting tree Mike. I like the aged bark at the trunk/roots. Despite of the size and compactness it still looks natural and pleasing,

Regards
Morten

An impressive one!

Morton and Nik, thanks for your kind comments!

Mike

Hi Mike this is a fine tree in a wonderful Sarah Pot. I would like to see the foliage have a more 'rounded' top, a wee bit flat for me... but hey...its an amazing tree

Beautiful tree thanks for sharing.

Tony and Fuzzy
Thanks for your kind words.
Tony, I guess I am somewhat partial to trees with a broader crown. To my eye, they seem more mature. Just one viewpoint among many, and they all have their place in our world of trees.

Mike

Hi Mike,

Judging from this tree and your avatar, at least your personal touch don't leave people indifferent

I like that.

I like your Eleagnus too, I think that we see too few "apparent roots" bonsai these days (even if it's in-between a "Ishi-tsuki" and a "Neagari"). These are styles that belong to the history of bonsai, and I'm glad some are keeping it alive, even if other designs are more popular these days, especially when they have a modern, personal feel.

(How sentencious this froggie is... )

A maybe more classical view of the top part :

[img][/img]

Hi Alain
Excellent virtual!

Thanks for your comments. I'm surprised that a Silverberry is attracting interest. I rarely see one exhibited in my area.

Mike

Very impressive Mike...if you keep this up, my friend, I jut might begin to like Sumos...

Pat...mounted on my trusty steed, riding off, wildly, in all directions...

This is the latest image made today.
I had this old Shigaraki kiln pot sitting around. The Silverberry was due for repotting, so I decided to give it a try.
The tree is 22 inches tall and 36 inches around the base.

Hello Mike. I think the new pot is too large and angular. The original pot was much better suited I think.

I think the tree stands out more in first picture (round pot)
Beautiful tree, mike.

will baddeley wrote:Hello Mike. I think the new pot is too large and angular. The original pot was much better suited I think.

I have to agree. As much as I like the tree, I hate the pots - both. The first one looks like an upside down cake with chocolate frosting. Sorry, not a fan of her work. The second, well, there are some nice Shigaraki pots out there, but Will's right. Yes, I know that this same pot is in D.C. in the National Collection, but that doesn't make it a quality pot - it just isn't and the men that donated those bonsai know it.

That's a tough tree, and the right pot is out there - somewhere...

Russell

Mike,

Check out "Flower Rain" and "Melancholy" on page 25 of Peter Krebs' thread in the pot forum. If your tree were mine, this is the direction I'd head.

Russell

mike page wrote:
Below is a link with some info about "sumo"

http://www.absbonsai.org/articles/sumo.html

]

The link has changed for that article, Mike.
Here it is:
http://absbonsai.org/bonsai-articles/39-bonsai-features/69-sumo-shohin
John Romano