The trees of the tropics are very different from the trees of temperate climates and tropical bonsai reflect these differences. On of the more unusual plant structures include "stilt roots." Technically these are a form of banyans. The most common are Lauhala, Mangrove, and Autograph Trees. Dr. Horace Clay, a noted horticulturist and the initial president of the Hawaii Bonsai Association, imported the Dwarf Autograph Tree and created the first "Stilt-root Banyan" bonsai. (See Dr. Horace Clay & "Walking Mangrove") Since then, several others have been created in the Fuku-Bonsai collection.
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Here an Autograph Tree began life atop a palm and being more vigorous, it will one day strangle and kill the palm. |
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Detail of the above Autograph Tree epiphyte on a palm. |
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Autograph Trees have an unusual "stilt-root" structure that is similar to banyans. But roots are thicker and there are less of them. This tree was growing in the shade of several taller trees in a residential Hilo neighborhood. During moist seasons, these trees send down a profusion of thick fast-dropping stilt roots. As the reach the ground, they take root, thicken, and vigorous growth begins. |
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The fleshy fruit of the Autograph Tree are eaten by birds. Sometimes these are deposited
in a high branch crotch and the tree begins life as an epiphyte. The heavy root lengthens
and from 10' high will reach the ground in a growing season. The root quickly
thickens, sends nutrients to the plant, and rapid growth begins. If you scratch your name or message on one of the thick leaves, it will heal with your name visible until the leaf drops off. These are popular fun trees at Hawaiian visitor centers. |
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Two Autograph Trees growing as epiphytes on two African Tulip Trees next to Waiakea Pond in Hilo. The trees are well established and growing strongly. |
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The aerial roots of Autograph Trees fall in one season and reach the ground. As bonsai, Autograph Trees have leaves that are too large. But the Dwarf Autograph Tree makes interesting bonsai. Because the leaves are too small for an entire autograph, the dwarf variety is sometimes called the Initial Tree. |
Dr. Clay gave me a few cuttings of Dwarf Autograph Tree and several bonsai were created to exploit the unusual characteristic of the plant.
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