How Tall is too Tall

I understand if its in a pot it qualifies. And I've seen some pretty big trees.

I was just wondering if anyone feels like there is an outside limit.

I have three trees now that are going to be finished trees in excess of 36 in. One is going to be about 48 in when done. Long way off, but the natural taper of the tree is perfect as is at that height and I really don't want to trunk chop it to bring it down to 36 in r thereabouts.

Anyone feel the extra large size of some trees takes away from their ability to make a convincing "bonsai?"

To me, it comes down to only how it looks. Personally, I dont want to have tree's heavier than that I can carry them myself. But thats because of the work put into moving it.
At the height, I'd say not taller than myself.

1 metre, 39 " is considered about the height taller bonsai should be. I have seen taller and i have a pine that is 1.10 metres, 43". If it is good material and works at that height then leave it at that height. As mentioned before, it is very difficult to move trees about when they are that large.

I believe anything over 40" is considered to be Patio Bonsai. Got a few myself over this height and they are always asked for as a central point for exhibits. Trouble is, older you get heavier they are.

I can see me going Shohin and Mame in another decade.

Mike

Well, 48 in = 121.9 cm (for those like me who are not familiar with inches, feet, fathoms, leagues, cubits, bushels, and that kind of vintage units of measurements )

If it's too big for Japanese standards, just call it a "penjing" :

http://www.beijingbonsai.com/Bonsai-picture/bonsai-2/bonsai-273.jpg

I seem to recall hearing somewhere about an ancient pine in the Japanese Imperial Palace collection that was near 6 feet and still called a bonsai. I think the National Geographic had a pic in the magazine several years ago.

For ME, 2 feet is the absolute limit.

Mike Jones wrote:

I can see me going Shohin and Mame in another decade.

Mike

I started a few years ago with these.



This is a Hornbeam 1.2m Need a mate to re-pot this one. Also have a large Beech and Pine.

AlainK wrote:Well, 48 in = 121.9 cm (for those like me who are not familiar with inches, feet, fathoms, leagues, cubits, bushels, and that kind of vintage units of measurements )

If it's too big for Japanese standards, just call it a "penjing" :

http://www.beijingbonsai.com/Bonsai-picture/bonsai-2/bonsai-273.jpg

Vintage?!!?? How old is the metre? Roman?

JimLewis wrote:

For ME, 2 feet is the absolute limit.

What shoe size do you take?...

Joking apart, 2ft is about 65 cm, there are plenty of very good, "classical" bonsai much bigger than that (forgive my enthusiasm, I have a brand new elastic belt for my "lumbar" vertebrae )

will baddeley wrote:

Vintage?!!?? How old is the metre? Roman?

1965 for the Brits, 1790s for the French:

Metrication

It has always amused me that the system that was in use in English-speaking countries was called "Avoirdupoids" which means "Havingweight".

Britain:
pound (lb) 1 ~453.6 g 16 oz
quarter (qtr) 28 ~12.7 kg 2 st
ton (t)
or
long ton (l. tn.) 2,240 ~1,016 kg 20 cwt

US:
pound (lb) 1 ~453.6 g 16 oz
quarter (qtr) 25 ~11.34 kg 25 lb
ton (t)
or
short ton (sh. tn.) 2,000 ~907.2 kg 20 cwt

Er... So, for you, is one ton 20 cwt, or 20 cwt ?...



All right, at least, maybe we can agree that a big bonsai weighs something like between 1 qtr and 1 qtr.

Beautiful example, Peter.

Peter E. wrote:

Mike Jones wrote:

I can see me going Shohin and Mame in another decade.

Mike

I started a few years ago with these.



This is a Hornbeam 1.2m Need a mate to re-pot this one. Also have a large Beech and Pine.

This picture is actually quite misleading, as Peter is only 4 foot and a fag paper! Tree therefore, under 1 metre

will baddeley wrote:

This picture is actually quite misleading, as Peter is only 4 foot and a fag paper! Tree therefore, under 1 metre

dammittt!!!!. you sussed it.