Deadwood Artistry: Jin and Shari (BYOB)

Some of the most striking bonsai in the world are partly dead.

On an old juniper growing on a mountainside, the bare, bleached wood tells the story of what the tree has survived. Lightning, drought, and broken limbs leave behind dead branches and stripped trunks while a living vein keeps the tree going. In bonsai, we recreate that history on purpose. A dead branch is called a jin. A section of trunk with the bark stripped away is called a shari.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to design and carve both. We’ll cover how to decide where deadwood belongs on a tree and where it doesn’t, how to protect the live veins that keep the tree alive, and how to strip bark and shape wood so the result looks weathered rather than cut. We’ll also show you how to apply lime sulfur, which preserves the wood and gives it that pale, aged look.

This is a BYOB class: Bring Your Own Bonsai. You can bring up to three trees, and we’ll provide the carving tools and work with you one-on-one. Junipers, pines, bald cypress, buttonwood, olive, oaks, elms, and yew are the best choice because they handle deadwood work so well, but if you’re unsure whether a tree is ready or suitable, email us before class and we’ll help you decide. This class is a good next step if you’ve done some wiring and styling and want to give your trees more character and a sense of age.

Details:

• Location: Outdoors at High Water Bonsai, 9106 Harbor View St, San Antonio, TX. Dress warmly, and wear clothes you don’t mind getting lime sulfur on.
• Date: Thursday, December 17, 2026
• Time: 6–8 PM
• Cost: $95
• Bring: Up to three (3) trees from your collection
• Provided: Carving tools and instruction, plus water, coffee, and light refreshments
• Class size: Limited to 5 people. Advance registration is required.
• Requirements: Signed liability waiver required (power tools may be used). Ages 18+; under 18 welcome with a parent or guardian’s signed permission and active participation.