As the year draws to a close, it’s nice to spend some time reflecting on this year’s growing season and how it impacted our bonsai. Was it a good year? What new things did you learn? What surprises (good or bad) popped up? It’s for sure that you never stop learning in the wonderful art and hobby of bonsai. Bonsai South has had a great year, and thanks to all of you who helped make it that way. I’m really excited about 2018, which should be even better. Watch for new collected trees early next year. So we don’t get too much fall color here in the very Deep South, so it’s always super nice to see something among my bonsai. Here are a few trees that have over-performed (even if only a bit).
Cedar Elm - Ulmus Crassifolia
This Cedar elm, Ulmus crassifolia, is living here until it heads off to a client next spring (2018). Isn’t the color delightful?.
Chinese Elm - Ulmus Parvifolia
This Chinese elm, Ulmus parvifolia, has been in development a few years now. I’m working on building out the crown, and making good progress. I’m a couple of years away from getting it to look right. This tree has had a somewhat tough year in 2017, coping with a bout of black spot. It’s a fairly common problem with Chinese elm, but not too hard to manage. Most of the leaves are off the tree now, but I have some attractive yellow ones still left. They’ll be gone within a week.
Bald Cypress - Taxodium Distichum
This tree produces a really lovely “glowing” rust color in the fall. There’s not a lot of foliage on this one, but you can’t argue with how attractive it is. As with the Chinese elm above, this one will be bare within a week.
Willow Oak
Finally, here’s Rip Van Winkle, my late-budding Willow oak (Quercus phellos). I left it alone this year to grow out, as it appeared to be sluggish. Hopefully it will have regained all of its strength by the 2018 growing season. I got some unexpected color from it, so thought I would share.
Did You Enjoy?
I hope you’ve had a great bonsai year, and that your trees are thriving. Remember we’re always here to help out however we can!
Looking good Zach!! Thanks for another year of sharing your knowledge. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. My trees would not be where they are without your guidance. Your love for the art shows in your work and is infectious. Anytime somebody sees my work and asks where I’ve learned I refer them here, and will continue to. Keep it coming!!
I really appreciate the kind words, Tim. I hope to keep on keepin’ on for a good while. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Very nice. Really like that willow oak and of course the cedar elm.
I missed the color on my trees at home due to a relief mission to Puerto Rico.
There’s always next year.
Thank you, Gil. I think it’s great that you went down to Puerto Rico. Worth missing fall colors for.