The beautiful colours of Autumn

One of the joys of keeping deciduous bonsai trees is that every year they mark the passing of the season with autumn colours.

Good autumn colour depends on a number of factors including how you fed earlier in the season, the ambient temperatures and of course the species of tree. In fact regarding the last variable even within a single species such as trident or Chinese maple, you can have genetic mutations some of which can produce better colouring than others.

Anyway the purpose of today's blog is not entirely educational, rather to share with you some of my photographs of trees in Autumn.

Image caption. The beautiful colours of a Chinese quince. Note the amazing colour contrast between the leaves and the shallow, light blue container. Photo was taken in Master Kimura's garden.  

Image caption. A really great, mature old Chinese maple root over rock at the peak of its autumn colour. The cream coloured container is very complimentary also. Photo taken at Shunkaen, Master Kobayashi's bonsai museum.

Image caption. A trident maple a little past its prime colours but nonetheless very emotive and expressive. Photo taken in Kyoto, Taikan-ten, 2014.

Image caption. In autumn the persimmon tree bears fruit. Without leaves the bright colours of the fruit are even more enhanced. Photo taken in Kyoto, Taikan-ten, 2014.

Image caption. View through a window at Shunkaen. I wouldn't mind that view, would you?

Image caption. Another trident maple a little past its prime. Quite a famous tree in Japan, looked after by the very capable staff at Mansei-en, Omiya. Photo taken in Kyoto, Taikan-ten, 2014.

Image caption. The photo of this tree does not do it justice. It is big and makes quite an impact when seen in person. Photo taken at Shunkaen, Master Kobayashi's bonsai museum. 

Image caption. The amazing buttery yellows of the Japanese zelkova in Autumn leaf. Photo taken at Fuyo-en, Omiya. 

Image caption. The vividly orange berries of this Firethorn contrast beautifully with the green leaves of this evergreen tree in Autumn. Photo taken in Kyoto, Taikan-ten, 2016.

Image caption. The Chinese flowering quince is a very popular bonsai subject in Japan. Without leaves the colourful flowers of this shrub become even more pronounced. This specimen has already lost many of its flowers but those which are left become that much more singular. Photo taken in Kyoto, Taikan-ten, 2016.

Image caption. This rather famous Japanese maple is cared for by Shinji Suzuki. Photo taken in Kyoto, Taikan-ten, 2014.

Image caption. I am not entirely certain but I believe this is a Hornbeam. It has beautiful yellow leaves which have a serrated edge. The very interesting, light grey contorted trunk and the yellow leaves contrast perfectly with the lilac coloured container.  Photo taken in Kyoto, Taikan-ten, 2016.

Image caption. Well of course this is not a deciduous tree, it is an evergreen conifer, most likely a Japanese black pine. However I have included it here as it is a beautiful tree and the manner in which it clings to the rock is truly captivating. Pines have long been appreciated for the feeling of timelessness which they present to the viewer, in contrast to the deciduous trees which portray passing seasons. Photo taken in Kyoto, Taikan-ten, 2016.

Image caption. This is a deservedly famous Shishigashira or Lion's Mane Japanese maple. It retains its autumn colour the longest of all the maples. Photo taken in Kyoto, Taikan-ten, 2016.

Image caption. Apparently tremendous skill is needed in order to time the fruiting of this crabapple tree just right, or to even get it to fruit in autumn at all. Photo taken in Kyoto, Taikan-ten, 2016.

Image caption. Another amazing Chinese quince, such beautiful colours not only of the leaves but of the trunk too. Photo taken in Kyoto, Taikan-ten, 2016.

Image caption. I just love this pine. Not sure if its a black or red pine but its most likely a Japanese black pine. The very compact and intertwining trunk is fascinating to me.  Photo taken in Kyoto, Taikan-ten, 2016.

Image caption. The unbelievable red colours of this maple can really only be appreciated properly in person. Photo taken at Fuyo-en, Omiya, Japan. 

Autumn is also very symbolic of death. As the green chlorophyll in a leaf breaks down the green is replaced by yellows, oranges and some cases reds. The leaf is dying.