Bonsai with Japanese Maples Hardcover – October 15, 2006

This book is extremely informative and a valuable tool to have in my Bonsai gardening library.

This book provides the kind of detailed practical guidance that I was looking for in order to grow maple bonsai. There are many bonsai books out there that are little more than a bunch of pretty photos of different bonsai species. This book is not at all like that. It does have beautiful photos, but the book is jam packed full of information as well. The photos that are included in the book serve practical ends, showing examples of the progression of bonsai designs over time. Although the title gives no hint of it, the book also covers trident maples extensively.

I was excited to see the title of this book, as I have hundreds of--probably one thousand--volunteer red Japanese maples (Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum') coming up in my yard. The book does give very clear directions on how to take a young maple (two or three years old) and shape it into a classic Bonsai shape, and there are several different styles. The instructions are clearly written and well illustrated. However, what I would like to have seen included additionally was something else that I know is also done, which is to take a somewhat more mature tree, of maybe seven or eight years old or more, which has not yet been trained at all, and to accentuate its idiosyncrasies. Still, for anyone who has access to young maples and is a novice to Bonsai (as I am), this book opens up a lot of possibilities. I am happy to have it.

Everything about bonsai with Japanese maples. Step by step on how to prune different styles. How to thicken trunks and many other tips. The examples of How-to's are colored line drawings and there are many color pictures of Japanese maples. I have used his examples on how to thicken several trunks, on how to shape/prune young trees. I use it as a reference every Spring when I repot and prune my maples.

I was skeptical about how much could be written about Japanese maples alone in the context of bonsai culture. My fears where quickly quashed by this wonderful book. Not only does it provide fantastic information about working with these great trees, but it offers some of the best example I've ever seen on maple bonsai from which to gather inspiration.Not a beginners book, but a book that will bridge the gap between beginner and specialist. Highly recommended.

love the pictures that go along with the information. I am taking this on for the first time, and I find this book so wonderful and helpful. It describes different ideas and how to do them, hints and tips, and even detailed suggestions on what types of supplies you should have/use. I find this book tastefully done and for a good price.

great little book, opened my eyes to a world of ideas and techniques, but I have to say that in parts it feels more like an exercise for the Author to display his above-average but not brilliant sketching skills. Big minuspoint here is the lack of photography in this book. The case studies cover photos well in most cases, but overall I was left a little underwhelmed by this aspect as a beginner needing very specific pictures. Saying that it has some utterly invaluable advice, techniques and tips and I'm sure I'll refer back to it often.

This is my maple bible.I have read the John Naka basic book that every bonsai enthusiast MUST read.After that this book is full of step by step techniques, for working on nebari, giving the tree some movement, root over rook, etc.It is quite small in size but packed of awesomeness! Fully recomended.