visit to Ryan Neil

Ryan Neil's place is situated in St. Helens, close to Portland, Oregon. I was lucky to have been there recently and was allowed to take and publish photographs. As we all know photographs of a collection take in the garden without a tripod usually turn out to be very bad. They never do justice to the real quality of trees. Anyway, take the shots shown and imagine a MUCH better quality when you are there yourself. Thees are only pictures of trees which I could easily take or trees which are rather advanced already. Altogether these are about 10 % or less of the trees there. The others are of same quality or potential. This is by far the biggest gathering of breathtaking trees that I have ever seen. This is the result of about four years work. Imagine what this place will e in twenty years. It's beyond belief.

The trees are mostly Rocky Mountain Juniper - Juniperus scopulorum, Ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, Lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta, Sierra juniper , Juniperus occidentalis, Limber pine, Pinus flexilis, redwood -Sequoia sempervirens. They were all collected in the USA.
Since decades I keep telling my American friends 'you have the best bonsai material in the world' and they would not believe me. Well, take a look.

See much better pictures on Ryan's site:


http://www.bonsaimirai.com/













[/ur[url=http://www.bonsaimirai.com/]http://www.bonsaimirai.com/International Bonsai Mirai

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Impressive garden...thanks for sharing.

Kind regards yvonne

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If I understood correctly then this is an important historical tree, a Californian juniper, being the last one of John Nakas's great trees that is still in good shape. Ryan has refurbished it to its old glory.

Absolutely impressive!
Thank you for taking the time to post your photos, Mr. Pall.

that has to be one of the best Non Japanese material tree collections in the world, the visual age and weathering in the material is amazing - and as you say Walter - it is just begining.

its the little bits of innovation i like too- the angled boxes to get the foliage at the right angle for the final design are clever.

John Naka's book, with hes drawings, was my first inspiration to the art of bonsai...to see this tree of hes, in such a nice condition makes my day.

Kind regards Yvonne

A truly amazing collection. Thanks for posting, Walter.
Lee.

Mr.Pall,

not meaning to be the fish that swims in the opposite direction, but it is obvious that Mr.Neil, has an exceptional eye for found Bonsai, and as I have read, also an excellent teacher.

BUT could you show something he has grown from a seed or cutting ?

Thank you very much for posting.
Later.
Khaimraj [ soon to be known as -- the pest ]

Thank you for posting this gallery of his nursery. I have learned so much form studying Ryan's shaping and wiring techniques. I am amazed at the material in his nursery and hope to attend more of his' (and yours' by the way) workshops.

Todd

Hi,

Very very impressive. Seriously touches my soul those trees, heavenly art! What a skillful craftman and artist Mr Neil is! The design and quality of material is beyond imagination. To me in my area that would not be possible. Quality stuff and Congratulations to Mr Ryan Neil.

Cheers for sharing the images Mr Pall,
Adam

A very impressive collection of collected American natives. Thanks for sharing.

CJ

Fantastic trees! A truly special place and I find it hard to see this place in 20yrs! Does it get much better than this for material?? Thanks for sharing Walter!

Thanks so much for taking the time to post these photos! Lots of trees to be inspired by...

It would represent so much work to build that, i mean not only the trees evn the garden, the house and all the rest. I'm very admirativ.

And Thanks for taking the time and sharing all that pics with us Walter.

Respect to Ryan for the artist and the worker inside of the same person.

In a word: Breathtaking!

Thanks for posting these photos Walter.

Like a Wonderland!!
Thanks Walter,
Tona

Khaimraj Seepersad wrote:Mr.Pall,

not meaning to be the fish that swims in the opposite direction, but it is obvious that Mr.Neil, has an exceptional eye for found Bonsai, and as I have read, also an excellent teacher.

BUT could you show something he has grown from a seed or cutting ?

Thank you very much for posting.
Later.
Khaimraj [ soon to be known as -- the pest ]

Walter has said that these trees are the result of four years' work. Would you really be interested to see a four year old seedling?

I go on the basis that a Famous Grouse 4 year old blended is quite nice but why have one if you have a cupboard full of Single Malts?


I'd love to know the stories behind some of his trees though - how he took them to the superb specimens they clearly are now. The guy undoubtedly has immense talent. As previous posters have already said, breathtaking, inspiring etc.

Crikey to create that in 4 yrs , i've been in my house for 6 years and still haven't decorated the bathroom.

Lee Brindley wrote:

Khaimraj Seepersad wrote:Mr.Pall,

not meaning to be the fish that swims in the opposite direction, but it is obvious that Mr.Neil, has an exceptional eye for found Bonsai, and as I have read, also an excellent teacher.

BUT could you show something he has grown from a seed or cutting ?

Thank you very much for posting.
Later.
Khaimraj [ soon to be known as -- the pest ]

Walter has said that these trees are the result of four years' work. Would you really be interested to see a four year old seedling?

haha.....good one
but serious, take a look at Ryan, it`s a young dude who studied bonsai in japan for years.
be sure that he knows how to make bonsai from seed or cuttings.
but the more impressive part are for sure these aged trees...which will become better as time goes

kind regards
ladi

Lee Brindley wrote:

Khaimraj Seepersad wrote:Mr.Pall,

not meaning to be the fish that swims in the opposite direction, but it is obvious that Mr.Neil, has an exceptional eye for found Bonsai, and as I have read, also an excellent teacher.

BUT could you show something he has grown from a seed or cutting ?

Thank you very much for posting.
Later.
Khaimraj [ soon to be known as -- the pest ]

Walter has said that these trees are the result of four years' work. Would you really be interested to see a four year old seedling?

Lee from the BUT written in capital letters , I believe that it was more a statement, poorly hidden in the form of a silly question!
Ryan is living the Bonsai dream, BIG TIME!!! What a talent and what a amazing place he has created and filled with already mind blowing trees! Respect and a bit envy!!!
Thanks for posting these pictures Walter!

Have a nice weekend everybody!
Cheers,
Hans van Meer.

Smithy wrote:Crikey to create that in 4 yrs , i've been in my house for 6 years and still haven't decorated the bathroom.

Smithy you are lucky, I cant find mines most off the time and I lived here for 20 years! But we both know why that is!!!!
Have a nice weekend!

Cheers,
Hans van Meer.