Little trees: Winter Silhouette Bonsai Show in Kannapolis shows mastery of Japanese art

Published 12:00 am Friday, December 13, 2024

This past weekend, bonsai tree enthusiasts and vendors gathered at the David Murdock Core Lab at the North Carolina Research Campus for the 13th annual Winter Silhouette Bonsai Show. The show featured more than 70 trees on display, and 35 vendors selling tree plantings, pots, accessories and shaping tools.

Bonsai is a Japanese art of growing and shaping miniature trees in pots. Once the tree begins growing to desired size, it is transplanted to a display pot, which is what limits growth. The tree is also shaped and pruned to limit growth and maintain shape. Wires or clamps are also sometimes used to make the trunk or branches grow in a desired form.