This European olive (Olea europaea) is a real attention grabber with its powerful girth and obvious age. The way the deadwood swirls up the side of the trunk and continues swirling all the way to the top of the tree, adds movement and character.  And the deeply patterned old bark also adds character.  Olives are native to the countries around the Mediterranean (and east, well into Asia) and there are many that are old and provide great material for bonsai. This one belongs to Andrija Zokic. The pot is by Walter Venne

I just rediscovered Andrija Zokic, a Croatian bonsai artist who we featured last August. Now he's back with three trees that he put up recently. All three have a natural feel, similar to other European trees we've been seeing lately. Perhaps the considerable influence of Walter Pall is in play? (Walter is one of the prime movers of European bonsai and an outspoken advocate of Naturalistic bonsai) 

To enhance their untamed, natural quality, all four trees featured here have a pronounced undulating movement in their branches. Even all the way out to tips. Though some movement might be expected, this rather exaggerated effect must be the result of shaping with wire. A labor of love that adds something wild and even fearsome to each tree. Especially to the two Hornbeams just below

Andrija Zokic's caption for this one reads simply, Fat Carpinus Orientalis (Oriental hornbeam). Judging by what we've seen so far, Andrija appreciates trees with hefty trunks

Another Oriental hornbeam. Not quite as fat, but still substantial

Another fat trunk. It's a Mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus) from the post we did last year on Andrija's bonsai. Mastic trees are in the same genus as Pistacios, as you might surmise from the botanical name. Like Olives, they make the Mediterranean region their home

A closer look at the trunk's gnarled features

Here's your link if you'd like to see more of Andrija's trees