Niwaki Blog: Jake’s take on cloud pruning, organic topiary and all things tree.

We had a little family outing to Nara on our recent trip to Japan, to see Isui-en garden. My brother-in-law Shigenori picked up a parking ticket. The garden is well known for its shakkei (borrowed scenery) of the hills and the roof in the background. Read More

Ian and his team see us each year at the Arb Show and Saltex, and they seem to buy another ladder each time. Ian appreciates the way the ladders get jobs done more quickly and easily than the old four-legged ones he used to use. Ian Kendrick: garden maintenance, landscape gardening, carpentry and… Read More

On a trip to Nara (to check out Isui-en garden) I came across this bit of pine pruning, around the back of the small museum next to the garden (actually I heard the snipping from inside the museum, and was out in a flash.) They were using that most rare thing, an 11' tripod ladder (they're made in… Read More

Autumn in Japan is a pretty good time of year, especially if you're into pine pruning. I was taking a quick walk around the neighbourhood one morning when I saw a small truck loaded with tripod ladders pull in to someone's driveway. That could only be one thing - matsu sentei! I hung around across… Read More

We've just got back from a trip to Japan, with hundreds of photos to sift through, but before that, here's a taster of the new Niwaki 2010 brochure, courtesy of Dad. If you're not already on our mailing list and would like a copy, let us know. Read More