Sierra juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) before and after by Boon Manakitivipart

Staying with our Sierra juniper theme, this impressive bonsai originally appeared here in December, 2009 (approximately 3,000 posts ago)

We’ve featured Boon Manakitivipart on this blog numerous times over the years, and for good reason. Boon is a highly accomplished bonsai artist and teacher whose enthusiasm and skill has influenced a generation of aspiring Western bonsai artists. If you are serious about improving your skills, you might want to check Boon’s intensives.

Before. June 2001. Sierra juniper that was no doubt collected somewhere in the mountains of the far west.

After. January, 2009 at Bay Island Bonsai's show An Exhibit of Fine Bonsai. If you go to Styling on Bonsai Boon you can see how Boon got from before to here.

After. A closer look at the trunk