Page 37 - Demo

These images show trees exhibited at European exhibitions; some attained awards, some did not. The comments accompanying each tree reflect strengths and weaknesses of each indicating how the decision -making pro- cess came about.
Larix decidua: Height (max) - 61 cms.
This larch group was considered to have potential in the long term. However, there is no primary tree and no obvious apex—there is too great a uniformity in terms of height. Also no dominant tree; a small sapling has been planted at the front of the group rather than toward the back giving no clear impression of depth.
The surface dressing was poor, with a covering of fine dead foliage together with patchy clumps of moss. Pot is OK, Health good, no sign of disease, has potential, needs time and refinement.
Judging Bonsai
The Criteria
By Kath and Malcolm Hughes, UK Photos by Malcolm Hughes
Part Three.
Part One was published in Q2, 2014 and Part Two was published in Q3, 2014;
Our challenge now is to try and produce guidelines that will be accepted and used by most (I would not dare to suggest all). If we can provide a universal set of criteria/guidelines and the means of using them at ground level i.e. at Clubs and local Shows, and if it is seen to work and be treated with respect, then hopefully we can move on to getting the method accepted at National or International level.
When we are judging bonsai, we first must scru- tinise all the trees; we then can make a choice as to which ones will receive an award. It can seemingly be so easy to shortlist a number that stand out above the remainder. Or should I say we can disregard some as not being up to the standard required for awards. If you cannot select to this point, then you should not have been asked to judge at a show. If however you envisage this as a training exercise then what do you look for?
Weeds, dirty pots, unsuitable pots, shaggy and over- grown foliage, dead and damaged leaves, discolored and dead needles, jin and shari that have gone green, pests or pest damage, bad and crossing wiring, poor shape, lack of nebari, general ill health and bad color, inverted taper, poor branch positioning (including T branches), heavy branches at the top, lack of apex or too many apexes; there are so many factors by which you can reject trees and this is what you must do be- fore stating to select the good or even excellent.
Having rejected all trees totally unsuitable for show- ing, and let’s hope that are not too many in this cat- egory, you can move on to the positive judging for the best. In some instances, the decision can be a rela- tively straightforward exercise, however at the end of the day, a decision must be reached, a decision where certain trees attain the status of being among the most impressive of all those on display. Their owners can be justifiably proud; conversely, those whose trees did not qualify for judgement beyond initial rejection may be left disappointed yet asking the question, what’s wrong with my tree?
This can be difficult to accept, these owners have put so much effort into getting their trees to what they considered a high standard, worthy of their bonsai be- ing exhibited. Perhaps a little basic training by the club is required for members before they even consider ex- hibiting, even at beginner level. Have you ever ques- tioned why many beginners consider entering starter
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