‘Spin the tree’ as you assess this Chinese banyan. At the front, the striking root structure and visually counter-balanced canopy combine to make a strong composition. Looking more closely, the front has a pleasing and massive root system that visually anchors and energizes the sinuous trunk. The layered foliage creates a dome without concealing the trunk’s lines. By contrast, the back’s root system is aesthetically out of scale (too small) for the trunk, and the scars have not yet matured enough to be visually compelling. There is significant potential for development.

Ficus are vigorous growers and can attain a sense of age in less time than many other kinds of bonsai. This was donated by Dr. Melvyn C. Goldstein in 2021.