Pinus thunbergii - Black pine - 40 cm

Pinus thunbergii, Black Pine in an informal style.

Native varieties rank first among the most popular species for bonsai. It is a very long-lived plant which, when cultivated as a bonsai, has been shown to live for hundreds of years. For many enthusiasts, it has undoubtedly been their first introduction to the art of bonsai. There are several styles suitable for pines: bunjin, formal and informal upright, slanting, semi-cascade and cascade; however, it also adapts to other forms, which may sometimes appear less natural. As it ages, the distinctive features of this plant become more pronounced: the bark, as it cracks, becomes increasingly interesting, the foliage thickens to form splendid crowns, and so on. Thanks, therefore, to its typical longevity—also guaranteed by the pine’s great resilience to adverse climatic and environmental conditions—there are spectacular specimens which, especially in the homeland of bonsai, Japan, are passed down from generation to generation, writing their own history.

The photo was taken in July.