Page 33 - BSAM 2018 Q4

those years ago!) Peter still looks surprised when you mention the honour of having his trees included in this world-famous collection, hardly recognizing that his love of trees, experimentation and dedication has rightly earned him international acclaim.
Peter founded a bonsai club on the North Island when he lived there, and is a founding member of the Campbell River Bonsai Club. At the annual show, he loves to meet people and help them understand the art and science of bonsai. He can also be cheeky when asked, how old is that tree? “Well,” he says, with a twinkle in his eye, “the leaves are not even a year old... (and lets that surprising thought sit for a moment, then continues) ...the branches are older, but the trunk may be hundreds of years old.” Peter highly recommends that those with interest join a club where they have support and can benefit from other members’ knowledge of local trees, styling and maintenance techniques, rather than going through the long, self-taught process that he followed.
Peter feels that North American trees will be a major future focus for bonsai, listing Larches, Larix laricina, and White Eastern Cedar, Thuja occidentalis, from Ontario, as well as West Coast native trees, as having great potential. He says, “You can’t find a book on Pacific Northwest trees,” but when asked if perhaps he should be the one to write this book, he replies, “No...it’s only in my head.”
About the Author: Barb Round lives in Campbell River, Vancouver Island, married to a bonsai enthusiast, and claims the title of “Bonsai Cheerleader.”
Bottom; The crown of this ancient Shore Pine was lifted with traction to showcase the roots and sinuous trunk. Photo: Barb Round.
Top; Close-up: Shore Pine’s gnarly, weathered trunk with natural shari. Photo: Barb Round.
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