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[IBC] Prove the Age of Trees
I was looking at the following web page which lists trees for sale.
http://www.j-bonsai.com/collections.html Some of the trees are listed as 400, 800 and 1,000 years old. My wife wanted to know how you could prove that the trees are that old. Anyone know? Thanks, John ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Prove the Age of Trees
I was looking at the following web page which lists trees for
sale. http://www.j-bonsai.com/collections.html Some of the trees are listed as 400, 800 and 1,000 years old. My wife wanted to know how you could prove that the trees are that old. Anyone know? In some cases -- not many, I'm sure -- the province of a masterwork tree is known, from owner to owner back into the distant past -- though 1000 years seems a tad excessive. ;-) Other cited ages are no more than guestimates (at least for live trees; someone could kill the tree and do a C14 test, I suppose, or could have bored a core out of the trunk -- damaging the tree) and you need to allow for a considerable amount or exaggeration. Especially for trees that are being offered for sale. The simple answer is: You can't. Buyer beware! Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Our life is frittered away by detail . . . . Simplify! Simplify. -- Henry David Thoreau - Walden ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Prove the Age of Trees
----- Original Message -----
From: "John - NJ" I was looking at the following web page which lists trees for sale. http://www.j-bonsai.com/collections.html Some of the trees are listed as 400, 800 and 1,000 years old. My wife wanted to know how you could prove that the trees are that old. Anyone know? Thanks, John --------------------- Short of the methods described earlier, no. Further, there is no reason whatever to do so. On a basic level, it's wholly irrelevant. When bonsai get into that neighborhood of age, the only reason that the "estimated" ages are included in descriptions is either to serve as something of an appellation or as a way of communicating to those who are not familiar with the trees just how storied and important their pedigree is in the art. These are merely estimated ages in all but a select few cases. Many enthusiasts are familiar with these trees and this information is not offered for them. If these trees were only 75 years old, but appeared just as they do now, they'd be no less beautiful. If no one cared to hazard a guess as to their ages, they'd be no less beautiful. It doesn't matter. In all cases, when the age of a bonsai is included in a description, consider the source and then disregard the information for all but horticultural concerns. Kind regards, Andy Rutledge zone 8, Texas ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Prove the Age of Trees
RE;' trees reported up to 1000 years old, Andy writes,
If these trees were only 75 years old, but appeared just as they do now, they'd be no less beautiful. If no one cared to hazard a guess as to their ages, they'd be no less beautiful. It doesn't matter. Of course it matters... it just doesn't reach Andy's level of interest. Who owned a tree or in whose presence a tree was displayed can also be important. Recreating the style of an old tree is not comparable to an object with a significant history. It matters. The provenance of modern bonsai artists matters, too, especially for trees typical of their style. We are not removed from reflection on a well-done bonsai as an artifact of cultural significance separate from its formal qualities. In all cases, when the age of a bonsai is included in a description, consider the source and then disregard the information for all but horticultural concerns. ...CHUCKLE... Best wishes, Chris... C. Cochrane, , Richmond VA USA ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
[IBC] Prove the Age of Trees
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Cochrane" It matters. The provenance of modern bonsai artists matters, too, especially for trees typical of their style. We are not removed from reflection on a well-done bonsai as an artifact of cultural significance separate from its formal qualities. Best wishes, Chris... C. Cochrane --------------------- Touché. ;-) Of course we're now operating outside of the context of both the question and my response, but what you say is true, too. The context was a question from and a response for a beginner. Your observations, Chris, are astute, just not contextual. But then I'm of the bent that beginners need to have all but the basics eliminated from their "diet," which may or may not sit well with others. C'est la vie!. ;-) Kind regards, Andy Rutledge zone 8, Texas ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
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