Bonsai Character

   Today was BYOT, or Bring Your Own Tree day.  A fair sized group of people got together at a Bonsai Nursery and began working on our plants as they come out of the winter, leaf up, blossom out, stretch their twigs and prepare for springs beautiful show.  
   Above is a close up of a tree one person has had for 30 some odd years.  She has brought it with her from California, Michigan and now Chicago, and will retire to The Villages, a community for 50+ ers.  What you see is gnarly scarf where, in transport, the tree fell over and broke a branch off, about 10 years ago.  The wound has scared over and created what is known as character, a history, a story to tell.  This attribute is used to enhance the tree, explain the story and increase the natural beauty of plants, trees and ones relationship with nature.

I just love these trees and the process that goes into creating each beauty.