Tanuki Projects

Bill McDonald, an SBBK board member, shared his experiences and process to develop tanuki.

“In tanuki bonsai, a living tree is joined to an interesting piece of deadwood to create a composite in the driftwood style. The deadwood usually has the form of a weathered tree trunk, or at least its lower portion. To add living material to the deadwood, a groove or channel is first carved into it.” [Wikipedia]

Deadwood suspended above soil level to avoid rot

Detail of the groove —narrower outer most

Itoigawa or Kishu whips inserted