ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens’ newly-constructed Bonsai and Penjing display features an award-winning tree from Tecumseh bonsai artist Jack Wikle. Visitors at the gardens can view this extraordinary root-over-rock bonsai forest from Aug. 13 to Aug. 20. Wikle’s tree was given the Outstanding Bonsai Design award at the American Bonsai Society 2002 National Symposium in Milwaukee in June. The Botanical Gardens’ new Bonsai and Penjing display will feature trees from the MBG Bonsai and Penjing collection. Trees will rotate every week and some will be featured from local artists. Penjing and Bonsai are both an ancient art form of miniaturizing trees. Penjing, originating in China more than 1,000 years ago, is the precursor of Bonsai, the Japanese form dating back to the 13th century. Another opportunity to view bonsai displays at the gardens will be Aug. 24 and 25 when the Ann Arbor Bonsai Society displays its most prized trees in an annual Bonsai show. For more information about Matthaei Botanical Gardens, visit http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/   RELATED LINKS American Bonsai Society 2002 National Symposium >> Ann Arbor Bonsai Society >>

 

http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/