Since ancient times traditional dwarf trees have adorned many Thai homes. Mentioned in age-old Thai literature, the beautiful and unique characteristics of local dwarf plants were narrated by poets from bygone eras.
Though it is rare to find traditional dwarf trees or mai dud in the country today due to declining popularity with younger people, lurking in bustling Klong Toey district in Bangkok, numerous Thai dwarf trees are grown and displayed at Wat Klong Toey Nai. They are prized and sought after by tree aficionados.
The plants have been tended to and preserved by Phra Ratchasitthisunthorn, the temple's abbot, who is passionate about growing and nurturing the Thai dwarf plants.
The elderly abbot considers the practices of manicuring the mai dud an art form, saying he was first drawn to the art four decades ago when he discovered the communities surrounding the port town of Klong Toey were once historically documented as one of the origins of the ornamental plants.
Popularity of the dwarf trees dates back to the Ayutthaya period, but reached its zenith in the reign of Rama V during the Rattanakosin era. The art of making ornamental dwarf plants originated in the royal court before the plants were acquired by state officials and the nobility then eventually percolated to commoners, he said.
Phra Ratchasitthisunthorn said Wat Klong Toey Nai's dwarf trees were admired by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who found a dwarf tree sanctuary at the temple when she had her dog "Pimsen" cremated there as Wat Klong Toey Nai is the only temple that provides incineration and cremation for pets.
The princess saw Chinese dwarf trees for the first time during one of her many visits in China. She then asked royal officials who accompanied her on the trip whether there were any dwarf tree regeneration areas left in Thailand.
The temple's dwarf trees will be used to decorate the compound for the royal cremation of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej set for Oct 26, the abbot said.
Phra Ratchasitthisunthorn said growing the trees and bending their branches into certain shapes and forms is a painstaking task. The branches, twigs and trunks are strung and wrought gradually before the trees take on the desired shape.
There are several techniques to alter branches and trunks, such as tying them to a wooden structure or loading a weight on the branches to make them grow straight and look flat.
The abbot explained the Thai traditional dwarf trees can be divided into eight categories based on their unique dwarf patterns.
They are the mai krabuan, mai chak, mai kammaloh, mai hok hian, mai khen, mai pa khom, mai talok, and mai enchai. The Japanese dwarf trees or bonsai are also making inroads into the market.
The abbot exemplified mai chak (mai in Thai means tree and chak means right angle), saying branches will be bent so they grows outward from the trunk at a precise 90-degree angle while the mai kammaloh, which means "tricky tree", is a freestyle technique to bend tree branches with small bushes on the tips around tree trunk.
Various arrangements of 'khao moh', tree pot housing resembling miniature boulders adorned with 'mai dud' or dwarf trees. The stones and trees are placed in ceramic pots.
For the mai enchai (meaning "to lean on"), tree trunks are deviated from either side of the trunk with bushes grown at the tips to create a symmetrical look while the tree branches of the mai khen are bent downwards with the tips making a U-turn and then rising upwards.
For the mai talok, which means funny, the aim is to amuse viewers as tree roots will be exposed as they are tied to look like an extension of the trunk with a big shrub sprouting out from the top, Phra Ratchasitthisunthorn said.
The abbot said today several plants are selected for growing the dwarf trees including ebony, streblus asper, water jasmine, tamarind and fukien tea, adding that all kinds of plants can be wrought into dwarf trees.
He said ebony is the most popular with dwarf tree enthusiasts due to its beautiful black trunk. Some people also compare ebony trees to a woman, saying the more mature it becomes, the more attractive they look.
Another favourite base tree is the streblus asper, which is covered with tiny leaves set against a pale trunk. Also widely used in making dwarf trees is the water jasmine, characterised by petite, white blossoms giving off a sweet fragrance.
In the past water jasmine was not regarded as "dwarfing material" as it is kept in most homes and therefore too common, he explained.
Phra Ratchasitthisunthorn also explained certain varieties of mai dud can be packaged as part of the decorative elements of the "khao moh", tree pot housing that resembles miniature boulders.
"People these days may not be familiar with the khao moh, which was immensely popular with dwarf tree growers in the past. Arranging khao moh was an entertaining pastime in the old days," he said.
The abbot explained the miniature boulders are assembled in a ceramic tree pot in different patterns such as elephant or singh, a Thai mythical lion.
Small natural stones are carefully pieced together to form the miniature boulders, sometimes with an image projected of a large mountain.
In the past, khao moh were commonly put together with smooth-surface sea stones.
However, such stones are quite difficult to find these days and have been replaced by stones collected from mountains.
Apart from passion and perseverance, owners of dwarf trees need artistic vision to sculpt the trees.
The abbot suggested several potted trees should be placed together. This way, the trees will complement each other and the owner will feel a sense of accomplishment as growing dwarf trees and contorting them takes a great deal of effort.
He explained that the owner will quickly run out of things to do if he or she grows only one tree, and waiting for the branches to expand can also make one despondent, presenting a test of patience.
Phra Ratchasitthisunthorn said he is willing to pass on his techniques to young people keen on the art of making Thai dwarf trees, adding that planters can learn from Buddhism, which preaches the merits of persevering and being meticulous.
The traditional dwarf trees created by Wat Klong Toey Nai are also on display at King Rama IX Park, in Bangkok's Prawet district.
