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Welcome to GiantBonsai.com. Here you will find a brief introduction to art of Japanese landscape pruning and arboriculture. Please check back often for updates.

What is Ueki no Te Ire?

The Japanese phrase, Ueki no Te Ire (also pronounced Niwaki no Te Ire), translates literally to "the care of shrubs or ornamental landscape trees." In common usage, the phrase usually refers to the Japanese arboriculture process of shaping landscape trees into enormous works of art.

When Westerners see these beautifully crafted trees, they often think of them as "giant bonsai trees," even though the term "bonsai" refers specifically to potted plants. Like bonsai, Japanese art trees have formal classifications based on their style of pruning. Terms like Matsu Zukuri, or Kuruma Shitate are used to describe particular pruning styles. These styles often evoke the image of mountains off in the distance, or a large windswept tree clinging to an ocean-side cliff.

Art trees are ubiquitous in the Japanese landscape and Asian-style pruning is becoming increasing in popular in the West. While many North American nurseries are attempting to re-create authentic Japanese styles, the results often fall short of the real thing. Mass-produced "Hindu-pan" trees and "Pom-pom" junipers usually do not conform to actual Japanese styles, and are often awkward and gangly in appearance.

Buy the Book

Ueki no Te Ire: The Japanese Art of Giant Bonsai is the first and only book in the English language to deal specifically with the subject of Japanese art trees.

Several formal tree styles are introduced in the book, along with extensive color photos, and step-by-step instructions to create authentic Japanese-style landscape trees. In addition, the biological effects of pruning are discussed in detail with a special emphasis on maintaining plant health. Throughout the book traditionally used Japanese tree species are listed for each formal style, along with species recommendations for North America.

Ueki no Te Ire, is a first-of-its kind resource for Western bonsai enthusiasts, landscape designers, arborists, and specialty nursery growers. The book can be purchase or previewed HERE, at Lulu.com, the web's premier independent publishing marketplace.

About the Author

E. Mader has a Bachelors Degree in Japanese Language and a Masters Degree in Horticulture from the University of Minnesota. He has traveled extensively across Japan and China, documenting gardening and agricultural practices. He is a certified arborist and lives in the Pacific Northwest.