Page 52 - BSAM 2016 Q4

Juniperus sabina at Castello della Rovere, ready for work
Now the juniper was ready to be restored to its original appearance, and through bonsai techniques, to highlight its best and most captivating characteristics.
On the day of the styling process, we set up in front of the Orangery of the castle, a day that promised rain (just like the rain of the previous few days). Along with my assistants Duilio, Silvano and Sara, and with the special participation of the great master Giovanni Genotti, we were ready to start the work that was above all, especially oriented to teaching and respect- ing all living things.
Introduction of Juniperus sabina
I began the presentation of Juniperus sabina to the
audience indicating the peculiarities of the species, the habitat, the potential trauma su ered and its evolution as it contrasted to the juniper cultivars raised in “captivity” in the local nursery, explaining the basic di erences and trying to express myself in a simple and understandable manner, even to non-experts.
Explanation of the project
e explanation continued with the stylistic goal, which was to restore the characteristics that had captivated us from the beginning, typical of the environment in which the juniper belonged; using bonsai techniques to show the evolution that the tree would have had in its natural environment over time.
Removing branches - Reducing upper extremi- ties and protruding parts
The first action was pruning away parts of the Juniperus that surely would have been lost in nature given its growing position, steeply inclined, a ected by strong winds, frosts, and nutritional de ciencies.
Consequently, I removed the upper extremities of juniper that in nature would have been lost, due to the accumulation of ice and snow on the foliage that the strong Alpine winds would break and detach.
50 | BCI |
April/May/June 2017