In this photo series, renowned bonsai artist Craig Coussins styles a yamadori Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine) at the Belgium 2004 The Mechelin Anniversary Convention, June 2004.

More of Craig's convention demos can be seen at his website BonsaiInformation

Craig talks us through his demo;

"Mechelen Bonsai Club booked me for their Anniversary Convention. I have been many times to Belgium and was a main speaker alongside Salvatore Liporace, my close friend, at the European Bonsai Congress which was held in Bruges.

Here's the yamadori Pine, before styling.

In order that the tree can be wired and to promote backbudding, the two year old needles are removed.

Better to cut the needles than pull as pulling causes wounding and can weaken the tree and attract aphids.

I wired the tree for almost 8 hours prior to the demo.

Here the team of Mariane and Peter complete the initial wiring.

Peter, who bought this tree from the famous Danny Use Gingko Bonsai Nursery, cleans up the jin.

Shari detail.

 The completed image.

The needles were a little small and suggested that the tree might still be a little weak so rather than make a literati I kept everything until the tree was healthier"