Hawthorn Bonsai Shaped by the Wind

Hawthorn Bonsai by Steve Shortt

Hawthorn Bonsai Shaped by the Wind

This Hawthorn bonsai is exhibited by Steve Shortt as part of The Art of Living Nature exhibition at Claregalway Castle.

Its story began around thirteen years ago, when Steve purchased the tree as raw material from Caoilte at Kinvara Bonsai. Even before any styling work began, the Hawthorn already possessed one remarkable quality—its naturally slanting, windswept form, shaped over decades by the environment in which it had grown.

Rather than forcing the tree into a different design, Steve chose to work with the character that nature had already created.

A Tree Shaped by Nature

Before it ever became a bonsai, this Hawthorn had already spent many years surviving in a harsh natural environment.

Although its exact age is impossible to determine, Steve estimates that the tree was probably between forty and fifty years old when it was collected. Constant exposure to wind and the elements had gradually created the elegant slanting movement that defines the tree today.

These natural features became the foundation for every design decision that followed.

Working with the Tree

One of the most striking features of this bonsai is the extensive hollow trunk and areas of natural deadwood.

Rather than hiding these imperfections, Steve chose to preserve and develop them, allowing the deadwood to become an essential part of the tree's character. The contrast between living veins and weathered wood tells the story of a tree that has endured decades of exposure to nature.

Throughout its development, Steve received valuable guidance from Ian Young, widely known within the bonsai community as "Bonsai Eejit." Their collaboration helped refine the tree while always respecting the natural movement and character that first inspired the project.

A Native Irish Species

Hawthorn (Crataegus) is one of Ireland's most recognisable native tree species. Found throughout hedgerows, farmland and exposed coastal landscapes, it is well adapted to strong winds, poor soils and challenging growing conditions.

These conditions often create twisted trunks, rugged bark and naturally aged features that make Hawthorn highly desirable as bonsai material.

Throughout the seasons, Hawthorn offers constant interest. Delicate white blossoms appear in spring, followed by bright red berries later in the year, while autumn foliage and the intricate winter silhouette ensure the tree remains attractive throughout every season.

Thirteen Years of Refinement

Developing bonsai from collected material is never a quick process.

Over the past thirteen years, this Hawthorn has gradually matured through careful cultivation, patient refinement and respect for the tree's natural character.

Rather than trying to transform it into something artificial, each stage of development has focused on enhancing the qualities that nature had already created.

The result is a bonsai that still carries the unmistakable feeling of a windswept tree surviving in the Irish landscape.

Continuing the Journey

Including the years it spent growing in nature before collection, this Hawthorn is now estimated to be well over fifty years old.

Like every bonsai displayed at The Art of Living Nature, it represents far more than simply a miniature tree in a pot. It reflects patience, observation and a willingness to let nature remain an active partner in the creative process.

Its journey is still far from complete. With each growing season, the tree continues to mature while preserving the windswept character that first caught Steve's attention more than thirteen years ago.

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This page is part of the ongoing documentation of this Hawthorn bonsai.

The project continues to evolve, and every stage builds upon years of observation, cultivation and careful refinement.

Like all bonsai, this tree is not a finished object but a living process—one that continues to develop with every passing season.