毛朴 落葉盆栽的王者 Celtis Japoncia King of the deciduous bonsai in Taiwan 毛朴 落葉盆栽的王者

Celtis Japoncia 

 King of the deciduous bonsai in Taiwan

毛朴

落葉盆栽的王者 

  Celtis japonica, Ulms pauifolia and Zekova serrata all belong to the Ulmaceae Family.  Celtis japonica grows widely in East Asia area, north from Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu of Japan, south to Taiwan, and west to Southern China.  Celtis japonica is classified as deciduous tree specie, it can be cultivated in many different zones.  Such as the temperate zone, tropical and the subtropics.  It is one of very popular bonsai species in South East Asia.  It is even on the cover of the 80th Kokufu Ten commemorative book.

毛朴Celtis japoncia與榆樹Ulms pauifolia和櫸樹Zekova serrata同屬Ulmaceae Family（榆科）。毛朴分布於東亞洲地區，北從日本的本州、四國、九州，南到台灣，西到中國的華南地區，分布非常的廣泛。朴樹屬於落葉喬木，因此朴樹的培植界線非常的遼闊，可從寒帶、溫帶到亞熱帶、熱帶都可以栽培。日本國風盆栽展並將毛朴置於第80次紀念冊的封面。

    Celtis bonsai has only been cultivated in Taiwan for about 50years.  Although the history of growing celtis as bonsai is far less than that of Ficus (300years), but there are many top quality celtis bonsai in Taiwan.  In order to become a recognized bonsai master in Taiwan, you must learn how to cultivate celtis.  Celtis , Ficus and Taiwanese Juniper are three most representative bonsai species in Taiwan.  And, celtis is the king of deciduous tree among them, since celtis is the only one has seasonal change. 

台灣培育毛朴的歷史約只有50年，雖然歷史遠不及於榕樹的300年，但是近幾年來好樹輩出，蔚為風尚，每一位盆栽家都須通過毛朴的考驗，方可成為盆栽大師。毛朴的地位和榕樹、真柏一樣，並列為台灣三大最具優勢的樹種，而毛朴更是不折不扣的「落葉樹之王」。

The style of celtis bonsai has been evolved as fast as the development of Taiwanese bonsai.  The early style of cltis bonsai in Taiwan was very standard and traditional, most of celtis bonsai were the replicas of some famous pine or sazuki  style  bonsai in Japan.  The main focus characteristics were the amount of fine twigs, small braches and ramification of the bonsai.  Celtis bonsai had the most small twigs and branches were recognized as masterpiece.  Bonsai enthusiasts had ignored the nature beauty of the celtis bonsai.  After many years of trying and searching, we have finally found the inspiration and teacher.  There is a celtis forest located at Xinzhu County of Taiwan.  There are celtis trees that are more than 300 years old.  These trees are the true inspiration for the celtis bonsai creation. 

毛朴的造型演替，和台灣盆栽進化一樣迅速發展。早期的毛朴還是遵循著標準化、模樣化，只盲目依循著金牌獎、總冠軍而行；講究的只是細枝的多寡，一味的追求細枝的量感，卻捨棄了毛朴獨特高雅的神韻。經過多年的摸索，我們終於找到了最佳的毛朴自生地，最好的自然導師。位於新竹縣的海邊，有片殘存300多年的毛朴林，每位盆栽家目睹－鳳坑－毛朴堅毅不拔的精神，都會感到造物者的偉大，受到感造而跟隨他的步伐。

Those celtis trees show in Picture S1 are approximately 30 - 50 years young trees.  The trunks of these young celis are straight with less trunk movement and their barks are smooth.  The overall impression of these trees is elegant but does not have the characteristics of old, ancient tree.  These trees are not our inspiration.  In the left side of picture S2, there are some three hundred years old celtis.  The trunk lines of these old celtis move and twist in all directions, they truly show the spirit of an ancient old tree.  When comparing this old giant with these young trees in the right side of picture S2, it is obvious to know which tree should be our teacher and inspiration.  The spirit of bonsai art is to create trees with characteristics that surpass the limit of time and space.  We want to create bonsai shown all elements of an ancient old tree.   In pictures S3 and S4, these are the characteristics of the ancient old trees. , this is where we draw our inspiration from nature.  When I traveled to the west coast of United States couple years ago, I saw some big old oaks with twisted trunks similar to the old celtis in pictures S3 and S4.  Maybe one can create Celtis is bonsai with characteristics like an ancient old Oak or vice versa.  

S1約30－50年的幼齡毛朴，從圖中可以發現，幼齡木主幹比較直，皮較年輕，形狀優雅有餘而豪壯不足，雖然樹梢還是非常細密，但這種年輕態的樹木不是我們學習的對象。S2左邊這些是約300年的老樹，枝幹　變化無窮，或起或仆老態盡露無遺。右邊則是年輕的樹型，兩相比較就知道年輕的樹相和極其蒼老的樹，呈現出完全不一樣的風格。盆栽藝術最主要是能夠超越時空的限制，表現無盡的老態，S3、S4非常明顯的表現朴樹歷盡滄桑，卻又無所不包的自由自在，這當然是我們該師法的對象。當我在美國旅行時，發現很多Oak的精神與毛朴非常像，或許Oak也可以創作成毛朴一般。

S1: Young celtis in Xinzhu County of Taiwan.  About 40 years old.
鳳坑年輕毛朴，約40年生。

S2: Celtis forest in Xinzhu County of Taiwan.  300 years old twisted trunk celtis and young straight trunk celtis.
鳳坑毛朴紀念林，從左面約300年最老、扭曲、變化多端的紀念樹，到右邊年輕細皮而呈直幹的毛朴。

S3: Detail view of 300 years old celtis.

300年自然老毛朴的枝幹特寫。

S4: Detail view of 300 years old celtis.

極其扭曲的300年老毛朴特寫.

Esthetics

The main characteristics of Celtis bonsai are similar to different style of Chinese calligraphy.  The root base is steady and strong like formal style.  The branches should twisted and turn in all directions like cursive style.  The fine twigs are neat with distinction like printing style.  I think most of bonsai friends probably are not used to see celtis bonsai in this kind of design at first.  The first impression will be messy because trunks and braches are everywhere.  And the silhouette is not triangular shape as we see at most of traditional bonsai style.  However, if you look at this bonsai in more detail and study the trunk lines and braches structure.  You will see the beauty of this great celtis bonsai. 

Let us analyze the design of this bonsai.  Starting from the main trunk, there are five different size trunks grown in different directions and move gracefully.  These trunks are everywhere, but they compromise each other, the overall design is very similar to the wild celtis trees shown in picture S3 and S4.  Comparing this bonsai with these old celtis trees shown in pictures S3 and S4, you will see the message that the artist wants to convey.  A true bonsai is like an ancient old tree grown only in the fairy tale, not like the tree that you can see at the park. 

The silhouette of this bonsai is very unique.  The silhouette of Most of bonsai is triangular shape, but the silhouette of this celtis bonsai has many crowns like clouds in the sky.  If each crown represents one tree, then this bonsai is like the image of a forest. 

美學理念

毛朴值得欣賞處：枝幹有如書法，令人喜愛。主幹似楷隸之穩重，分幹似行草之翻轉順暢，而細枝如篆體枝枝分明。

大部分的盆栽朋友初次看到這張圖時，一定會很不習慣，怎麼會有這麼多的枝幹，似乎顯得有點雜亂，而樹冠又不是呈規則的三角圓弧形，但是只要多花一點時間仔細端詳，就會發現朴樹的偉大。

首先，從主幹開始談起，五支大小不等的樹幹錯落，向四方發展而交叉重疊的樹幹卻又極其野趣，與Ｓ３、Ｓ４圖片極為相似，當Ｓ３、Ｓ４圖與相互對照時，就知道作者匠心獨具，打破傳統的框框，將老朴樹的精神表露無疑。而枝幹的走向前後擺盪神奇迷離，似乎讓我們走進敻遠的森林，神話的世界。我們看到的是樹的精靈，千萬年的老樹精，而不是一般公園裡的樹。

樹冠的表現手法更堪稱一絕，一般樹冠都成三角圓弧形，而此樹則呈現不規則的小雲朵狀，作者所傳達的是：每一個突出的頂冠都是一株巨大的樹木，而多數的突出部分，就表現出無數大樹的集合體。雖然這只是株７０幾公分的盆栽，但是作者要透過不平整的複數頂冠，表現出一片巨大的森林，而不只是一棵樹，作者試圖把樹冠創作成一片巨大的林相，將樹的能量、意象作無限的提升。當一株盆栽不只是一棵樹，而是一片廣大林相時，所包含的想像空間，將令人拍案叫絕。盆栽可以透過不同的手法表現出無盡且不可思議的意境，如此盆栽文化將更博大精深，可長可久可遠。

 Early Spring of 2007  Front view.

正面

                 

Right view  右面

Rear View背面

Cultivation:

Material selection.

Seedling of celtis is very easy to obtain in the wild or nursery.  However, most of seedling has fine branches die-back and poor branch ramification problem.  The best celtis material is from the root cutting of celtis trees with good ramification and well branch development.  

 培養方法

樹種選擇：野外毛朴可輕易透過種子的散播產生無數新株，大部分的有性生殖個體不適合盆栽培養。唯有從品質優良的成品樹，且不易枯枝、樹枝容易分歧、樹枝呈放射狀的母樹中，所得到的扦插苗木方可造就好樹。大部分的山採素材皆容易枯枝，唯有經過嫁接優良品種，方可保持樹態不易變形。

Soil

Celtis basically grows in all kind of soil, but to prevent fine branch die-back.  It is best to plant celtis in 70% Akadama and 30% mountain sand. 

 土壤

培養中的毛朴對於土壤的要求性不高，各種土壤、沙子皆可以適用，唯成品老樹需以70%以上的陽明山土，加入少量山沙，方可保濕，且不易產生枯枝。

Wiring and styling

Wiring and styling can be done when the new leaves are harden on May.  If the tree is in good condition, celtis can be defoliated twice or third a year.  The first in May when leaves turn dark green , second and third defoliation can be performed on early July and September in Taiwan.  Celtis in Taiwan starts its dormancy around November and sprouts new shoots at beginning of February.  Seven to ten days after the defoliation, new leaves will start to grow.  Wiring is very effective way to train celtis.

 整姿

樹勢強健的毛朴，一年可以剔葉整枝二~三次；當春芽茂盛後的五月份，葉子呈深綠色時，可做第一次整枝。然後七月份及九月上旬，可做兩次剔葉造型；毛朴的休眠期非常早，約從11月份開始休眠；而新芽又從二月初的早春萌生。毛朴剔葉後7~10天，新芽即可冒出，這時鮮嫩的葉子非常美麗；整枝需充份運用鋁線纏繞的技巧，讓成品的速度加快。

Pests and diseases

Fungal disease is the primary disease for celtis.  After long rainy season, it is very important to spray fungicide to prevent fungal infection.  Scale insect is another common disease for celtis.  You normally will see scale insects appear during the hot and humid summer season.  Once you find scale insect on your tree, brushing them off and apply insecticide to prevent further damage.

 病蟲害

毛朴最大的病蟲害是細菌感染，長時間下雨過後，一定要消毒，否則新芽容易因蟲害而變黃，樹勢也會逐漸變弱，而導致枯枝；介殼蟲更是毛朴另一重大危害，介殼蟲害容易發生於悶熱的夏季，及休眠期之前，一旦發現時，應迅速以鋼刷刷洗乾淨，並施灑農藥，避免介殼蟲增生毀壞枝幹。

Repotting

Celtis grows very fast, it is recommended to repot specimen bonsai annually.  Trees in training can be repotted every two to three years.  Early Spring is the time to repot celtis.  Once the leaf buds are swollen, you can repot your celtis in confidence.

 換土時機

毛朴的根緒非常強健，因此成品樹，必須每年換土。而半成品的樹，約2~3年為宜；毛朴因休眠期特別早，因此萌芽期也較一般樹早些，所以在早春芽動前就需換土；通常毛朴是春天最早換土的樹種。

Creating process

創作過程

 Summer of 1998, First styling after harvest from my nursery in early spring.

 Summer of 2001.  Branches styled by guy wires and some wiring.

2001年從地上移入盆中後第二年，樹枝上揚太厲害，以鋁線將枝往下調整，並局部纏繞鋁線。

Spring of 2002, tree grew well.  Tree top grew too strong, suppress was done to balance the overall growth.

2002年春天，樹勢強健尤其頂冠需加以抑制，使全株均勢。

Summer of 2002, top branches were pruned to balance the growth.

2002年夏天，剪掉強勢頂芽，讓上下樹枝均勢。

 Summer of 2003, wiring the whole tree.  Suppressing the top growth, let lower branches grew freely to balance the overall growth.

2003年夏天，全株纏線，抑制頂芽，讓下枝徒長，使全株均衡。

Summer of 2004, styling by wire.

2004年夏天，所有隻幹纏繞金屬線，以利柔化。

Winter of 2004, removing training wire.

2004年冬天，拆除鋁線。讓樹勢強健。

Spring of 2005, more training still required for the lower portion of the tree.

2005年春天，下半段猶未成形，故以金屬線加速整形。

 Summer of 2006, finally looks like bonsai.

2006年夏天，已近成品。

 Summer of 2006, using bamboo sticks and chopsticks to adjust the spaces between trunks.

2006年夏天，利用細竹或筷子，調整枝幹的間距。