Trees That Made History – Yatsubusa Elm

  • 2025

  • 27 – Sergio Cuan – Ulmus parvifolia ‘yatsubusa’ | Informal Hokidachi, Oregon, USA, 82 years old – photo 9
  • 27 – Sergio Cuan – Ulmus parvifolia ‘yatsubusa’ | Informal Hokidachi, Oregon, USA, 82 years old – photo 2
  • 27 – Sergio Cuan – Ulmus parvifolia ‘yatsubusa’ | Informal Hokidachi, Oregon, USA, 82 years old – photo 8
  • 27 – Sergio Cuan – Ulmus parvifolia ‘yatsubusa’ | Informal Hokidachi, Oregon, USA, 82 years old – photo 7
  • 27 – Sergio Cuan – Ulmus parvifolia ‘yatsubusa’ | Informal Hokidachi, Oregon, USA, 82 years old – photo 6
  • 27 – Sergio Cuan – Ulmus parvifolia ‘yatsubusa’ | Informal Hokidachi, Oregon, USA, 82 years old – photo 5
  • 27 – Sergio Cuan – Ulmus parvifolia ‘yatsubusa’ | Informal Hokidachi, Oregon, USA, 82 years old – photo 4
12345678

Yatsubusa Elm – Sergio Cuan

Winning Year: 2025;
Provenance: USA;
Container: Ceramic Pot;
Style: Scopa Informale (Informal Hokidachi).

A Truly Stunning Masterpiece

American artist Sergio Cuan took top honors at the fifth edition of Bonsaigers’ X in 2025, stunning all the judges and onlookers with a truly breathtaking Yatsubusa elm. As a dwarf cultivar celebrated for its naturally miniaturized foliage, the specimen allowed Cuan to craft a scale-defying silhouette of immense depth and maturity. Its most captivating feature is a deeply furrowed, corky bark that winds up the primary trunk, telling a silent story of ancient resilience. Nestled in a understated ceramic vessel, the tree’s intricate branching creates a dense, multi-layered ramification that highlights the artist’s precise structural mastery.

When presented in its full autumn splendor, the tree transforms into a vibrant visual spectacle. The miniature Yatsubusa leaves turn a fiery spectrum of golden yellow, warm amber, and deep rust tones, catching the light and creating a glowing, fiery canopy. This luminous blanket of fall foliage contrasts sharply against the heavily textured, rugged trunk, striking a perfect balance between delicate seasonal beauty and timeless structural strength. Cuan’s masterpiece left an indelible mark on the 2025 tournament, proving how autumn’s fleeting colors can elevate an already world-class bonsai into an unforgettable work of art.