I’m Zach Smith, a 30+ year bonsai veteran.
And I’m here to provide collectors and experienced bonsai enthusiasts with the finest large collected bonsai available anywhere.
Bonsai Odds & Ends – Eleagnus and Muscadine
bonsai odds & ends - eleagnus and muscadineSneak PeekMonster sumo-style bonsai take time to develop, but the end-result is well worth it. This Eleagnus is two years out of the ground, but just at the beginning of the process.Bonsai Odds & Ends - Eleagnus and...
Twin-Trunk Sweetgum Work
twin-trunk sweetgum workSneak PeekDeveloping bonsai from collected trunks takes time - meaning years, not months (I wish). This twin-trunk Sweetgum is in year four now. Twin-Trunk Sweetgum WorkI lifted this twin-trunk Sweetgum in May of 2018. Here it is in November...
Bald Cypress Development – Two Styles, Two Points In Time
bald cypress development - two styles, two points in timeSneak PeekThere are two basic styles of Bald cypress bonsai - pyramidal (formal/informal upright) and flat-top. Their development and the speed at which they develop could not be more different.Bald Cypress...
My Big Cedar Elm Gets A Pot
my big cedar elm gets a potSneak PeekWe collected this big Cedar elm in 2017. It's taken five years to build the apex and branch structure. Time for a pot now.My Big Cedar Elm Gets a PotWe collected this large Cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia) back in 2017. The base,...
Fun With Boxelder
fun with boxelderSneak PeekBoxelders are no one's first choice for bonsai. But they can make nice trees, even if you have to redesign them from time to time.Fun with BoxelderBoxelder, or Ash-leaf maple (Acer negundo), is no one's first choice for bonsai. They are...
The Way Of The Forest: Chinese Elm
the way of the forest: chinese elmSneak PeekForest bonsai are wonderful! And Chinese elm is one of the best species you can pick for the style.The Way of the Forest: Chinese ElmI love forest-style bonsai! In fact, they are probably my favorite. You can make forest...
Bald Cypress Initial Styling And Potting
bald cypress initial styling and pottingSneak PeekThis specimen will make a nice larger flat-top BC bonsai.Bald Cypress Initial Styling and PottingLarger Bald cypress specimens almost always lend themselves to one of two styles - either the classic pyramidal (informal...
Potting & Repotting Season – Beech And Crape Myrtle
potting & repotting season - beech and crape myrtleSneak PeekSpring is all about potting and repotting. Here are an American beech and an old Crape myrtle getting some attention.Potting and Repotting Season - Beech and Crape MyrtleI've been working on this...
Potting & Repotting Season – Bald Cypress
potting & repotting season - bald cypressSneak PeekLet's make a formal upright bonsai!Potting and Repotting Season - Bald CypressThe BC's are coming out - these are trees from south of me that "remember" where they're from, so usually nothing comes out before they...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #3 For 2022
bald cypress collecting trip #3 for 2022Sneak PeekMore specimens from this week's trip.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #3 for 2022It's a given that I'll have Bald cypresses budding out each year before just about everything else - Chinese elms usually being first. ...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #2 For 2022
bald cypress collecting trip #2 for 2022Sneak PeekMore specimens from this week's trip.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #2 for 2022The weather has taken a cold turn recently. Though we do alternate with moderate days, it seems that every weekend it turns cold again. As...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #1 For 2022
bald cypress collecting trip #1 for 2022Sneak PeekThis BC collecting season got off to a late start due to weather, but things are starting to look up.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #1 for 2022I love this time of year - but only for the opportunity to collect new...
Season’s End – Apple & Oak
season's end - apple & oakSneak PeekThe 2021 season has come to an end. The year was a strange one out there in the world, but in the world of bonsai we continue on. Here are two late-season show-offs.Season's End - Apple & OakThe 2021 season is now over,...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – Hawthorn, Cypress, Spekboom
bonsai odds & ends - hawthorn, cypress, spekboomSneak PeekFall brings a little color to our part of the Deep South. The growing season is over, but it's still fun to work on tropicals.Bonsai Odds & Ends - Hawthorn, Cypress, SpekboomHere is the Deep South we...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – American Elm, Lantana
bonsai odds & ends - american elm, lantanaSneak PeekHere's another American elm that's coming along, and a Lantana in bad need of a haircut.Bonsai Odds & Ends - American Elm, LantanaI've written about American elm before. It's sadly under-utilized for bonsai,...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – Dogwood, American Elm
bonsai odds & ends - dogwood, american elmSneak PeekLast time I showed you a Roughleaf dogwood that was eligible for the burn pile - only I saw some potential in it. Here's the result. Plus a small American elm.Bonsai Odds & Ends - Dogwood, American ElmLast...
Making Bonsai Lemonade – Roughleaf Dogwood
making bonsai lemonade - roughleaf dogwoodSneak PeekWe all have trees that don't grow as planned. This usually involves dieback. But sometimes you can make bonsai lemonade out of a lemon.Making Bonsai Lemonade - Roughleaf DogwoodI've written about this Roughleaf...
Sweetgum Fast-Track Styling
sweetgum fast-track stylingSneak PeekI usually only have as much patience with a tree as it will force on me. When they seem to want to develop quickly, I do take advantage.Sweetgum Fast-Track StylingI lifted this Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) from my...
Bald Cypress With Knee Gets Initial Styling
bald cypress with knee gets intial stylingSneak PeekIt's always great to find Bald cypresses in the swamp that have knees, especially when the scale is right. Here's one that's ready for its first styling.Bald Cypress with Knee Gets Initial StylingI was really...
Live Oak Update
live oak updateSneak PeekSometimes you have to start over with a bonsai. That has been the case with this old Live oak I was left by a bonsai friend who passed.Live Oak UpdateBack in May I started the rebuilding process on what started out as a legacy tree I was...
New Flat-Top Bald Cypress
new flat-top bald cypressSneak PeekEach year we bring home a few BC's that catch my eye to the point that I want to train them. This one shouted "flat-top." So let's see if we can get that going.New Flat-Top Bald CypressWhen we brought home this year's Bald cypress...
Styling An Apple Bonsai To Be
styling an apple bonsai to beSneak PeekI collected this rather stout apple from a bonsai friend's property last year. Since then I've left it alone to grow out and gain strength. Now that some of the branches are almost too stiff to bend, it's time to do an initial...
Monster Bald Cypress Available
monster bald cypress availableSneak PeekWe always bring home a selection of very large Bald cypresses each collecting season. Here's one that's available for someone looking for a "statement" BC.Monster Bald Cypress AvailableWe brought home this monster Bald cypress...
Change Of Design For Spekboom
change of design for spekboomSneak PeekHave you ever had a tree that was completely designed, and then the design just stopped working for you. That's what happened to me with this Spekboom.Change of Design for SpekboomIn September of 2020 I repotted this Spekboom...
Maple Layering Success
maple layering successSneak PeekThis Swamp maple, Acer Drummondii, has been developing nicely for the past year. But there's always been a problem with the base. Time for a layering!Maple Layering SuccessThis Swamp maple has developed quickly since we collected it...
Bald Cypress Styling – Formal And Informal Upright
bald cypress styling - formal and informal uprightSneak PeekIt doesn't matter if your Bald cypress bonsai is going to be a formal upright or an informal upright, certain "rules" apply to the design.Bald Cypress Styling - Formal and Informal Upright I first showed you...
The Beech Code?
the beech code?Sneak PeekBeech make wonderful bonsai. American beech, however, is nowhere near as amenable to development as its European or Japanese counterparts. But that might not be the end of the story ....The Beech Code?I collected this American beech, Fagus...
Rebuilding A Live Oak Bonsai
rebuilding a live oak bonsaiSneak PeekSometimes you have to start over with a bonsai. That has been the case with this old Live oak I was left by a bonsai friend who passed.Rebuilding a Live Oak BonsaiI've shown you this Live oak bonsai before. I received it as a...
Mayhaw Work And Lantana Flowers (Surprise)
mayhaw work and lantana flowers (surprise)Sneak PeekI have this Mayhaw I collected a couple of years ago. It's grown well enough that some development work is called for. Plus I have a Lantana that is producing flowers that are - reduced in size?Mayhaw Work and...
Flat-top Bald Cypress Bonsai – Starting A New Specimen
flat-top bald cypress - how to get startedSneak PeekThe flat-top Bald cypress bonsai is the fastest to create from scratch. That's because you get to take advantage of the tree's apical dominance.Flat-top Bald Cypress - How to Get StartedI'm convinced that there are...
Portrait Time – Hawthorn, Oak, Elm
portrait time - hawthorn, oak, elmSneak PeekThere's nothing like the combination of spring, sunny weather and nicely developed bonsai.Portrait Time - Hawthorn, Oak, Water-ElmWell, after the winter we had it does your heart good to see your trees responding to spring. ...
Coming Attractions – American Elm And Live Oak
coming attractions - american elm and live oakSneak PeekIt's very uncommon to see American elm and Live oak bonsai. There are reasons for the dearth of specimens. Here's one of each I've started on the bonsai journey.Formal Upright Bald Cypress - Development 101It's...
Formal Upright Bald Cypress – Development 101
formal upright bald cypress - development 101Sneak PeekTo begin with the beginning of a formal upright BC (or most every style), you must do one thing....Formal Upright Bald Cypress - Development 101I have found that the collected formal upright Bald cypress is much...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – Rip, Swamp Maple, Ginkgo, Surprise
bonsai odds & ends - rip, swamp maple, ginkgo, surpriseSneak PeekSpring is in full force, and there's lots going on around here. Today it's worth checking in on 'Rip van Winkle' the Willow oak, the Swamp maple and Ginkgo I potted late, and a surprise.Bonsai Odds...
Late Potting Or Repotting Your Bonsai
late potting or repotting your bonsaiSneak PeekWho doesn't dread the idea of late potting or repotting a bonsai? It's all supposed to get done on time. But ....Late Potting or Repotting Your BonsaiThere's potting time for bonsai, which is usually repotting time. ...
Big Water-Elm Progression
big water-elm progressionSneak PeekWe collected this big Water-elm in late-summer 2018. It's three years later, and time for the tree to go into its custom bonsai pot.Big Water-elm ProgressionThis very nice and very large Water-elm - trunk base 4" above the root...
It’s Happening – Sunshine, Warmth and Foliage
it's happening - sunshine, warmth and foliageSneak PeekIt's hard to describe how you feel when after bitter cold, snow and ice, you finally get sunshine warmth, and foliage on your bonsai!It's Happening - Sunshine, Warmth and FoliageIt's so great to finally be getting...
Big Bald Cypress Gets A Home
big bald cypress gets a homeSneak PeekI've been working on this big Bald cypress since 2015. I've been anxiously waiting for the day when it got a home suited to it. Today it happened.Big Bald Cypress Gets a HomeYou've seen this big Bald cypress on a number of...
Post-Snow Elm Work
post-snow elm workSneak PeekThis past week was the worst, weather-wise, since 2014. I did better at freeze protection.Post-Snow Elm WorkIt's been an interesting time since my last blog two weeks ago. Last Saturday and Sunday were spent putting all of my temperate...
Huckleberries Leafing Out, And Freeze Protection
huckleberries leafing out, and freeze protectionSneak PeekNot only are my Huckleberries opening flower buds, they're also starting to leaf out. Here comes the coldest night of the year so far!Huckleberries Leafing Out, and Freeze ProtectionRecently I wrote about the...
An American Beech With Potential
an american beech with potential Sneak PeekI seldom collect American beech, despite their natural beauty. They're just way sloooow to train. But sometimes you find one with potential. An American Beech with Potential I rarely collect American beech, Fagus...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #5 For 2021
bald cypress collecting trip #5 for 2021Sneak PeekTrees are starting to bud already south of us, so this is probably our last BC collecting trip for 2021.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #5 for 2021The willows are coming out now, down south of us, and the swamp maples are...
Huckleberry Flowers – A January Tradition
huckleberry flowers - a january tradition Sneak PeekHuckleberries flower and fruit reliably in a bonsai pot. Because they flower so early, they help brighten up an otherwise drab time of year. Huckleberry Flowers - a January Tradition We're getting closer to the...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #4 For 2021
bald cypress collecting trip #4 for 2021Sneak PeekOur goal this week was to collect some additional smaller cypresses. We had some good luck.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #4 for 2021We went after some additional smaller specimens today, and we had great success. This...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #3 For 2021
bald cypress collecting trip #3 for 2021 Sneak PeekThis week's catch featured a couple of big ones, though they weren't quite as large as last week's big ones; plus we got some smaller material as well. Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #3 for 2021 Here's another one of...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #2 For 2021
bald cypress collecting trip #2 for 2021Sneak PeekThis week we went for larger specimens.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #2 for 2021This is the sort of tree I'm not supposed to be collecting anymore. But doggone, it was just something I couldn't pass up! Isn't the...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #1 For 2021
bald cypress collecting trip #1 for 2021Sneak PeekHappy New Year! Time to go collect some new BC's.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #1 for 2021I don't like this time of year at all, but then again it's the best time to collect Bald cypress. The weather was cool, the...
Spekboom Styling
spekboom stylingSneak PeekYou can style a Spekboom bonsai just about any time. The nice thing about them is, they'll keep on growing right through winter with the right conditions.Spekboom StylingSo it's winter now, and the only things I've got that are growing are...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – Big BC And Rip Van Winkle Color Up
big bc and rip van winkle color upSneak PeekFall is supposed to mean fall color, but this is not necessarily the case here in the Deep South. With that said, I'm really proud of these two specimens. Big BC and Rip Van Winkle Color Up Down here in the Deep South...
The Bonsai South Collection
Water-Elm #39
(Image #1)
Water-Elm #39
(Image #2)
Water-Elm #39
(Image #3)
Huckleberry #5
Water-Elm #53
Water-Elm #40
Water-Elm #39
Water-Elm #35
Bald Cypress #68
Huckleberry #5
Water-Elm #53
Water-Elm #40
Zach’s Bonsai Experience
Years Experience
Bonsai Articles Written
Bonsai Created
Bonsai Demonstrations
Bonsai Odds & Ends – Eleagnus and Muscadine
bonsai odds & ends - eleagnus and muscadineSneak PeekMonster sumo-style bonsai take time to develop, but the end-result is well worth it. This Eleagnus is two years out of the ground, but just at the beginning of the process.Bonsai Odds & Ends - Eleagnus and...
Twin-Trunk Sweetgum Work
twin-trunk sweetgum workSneak PeekDeveloping bonsai from collected trunks takes time - meaning years, not months (I wish). This twin-trunk Sweetgum is in year four now. Twin-Trunk Sweetgum WorkI lifted this twin-trunk Sweetgum in May of 2018. Here it is in November...
Bald Cypress Development – Two Styles, Two Points In Time
bald cypress development - two styles, two points in timeSneak PeekThere are two basic styles of Bald cypress bonsai - pyramidal (formal/informal upright) and flat-top. Their development and the speed at which they develop could not be more different.Bald Cypress...
My Big Cedar Elm Gets A Pot
my big cedar elm gets a potSneak PeekWe collected this big Cedar elm in 2017. It's taken five years to build the apex and branch structure. Time for a pot now.My Big Cedar Elm Gets a PotWe collected this large Cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia) back in 2017. The base,...
Fun With Boxelder
fun with boxelderSneak PeekBoxelders are no one's first choice for bonsai. But they can make nice trees, even if you have to redesign them from time to time.Fun with BoxelderBoxelder, or Ash-leaf maple (Acer negundo), is no one's first choice for bonsai. They are...
The Way Of The Forest: Chinese Elm
the way of the forest: chinese elmSneak PeekForest bonsai are wonderful! And Chinese elm is one of the best species you can pick for the style.The Way of the Forest: Chinese ElmI love forest-style bonsai! In fact, they are probably my favorite. You can make forest...
Bald Cypress Initial Styling And Potting
bald cypress initial styling and pottingSneak PeekThis specimen will make a nice larger flat-top BC bonsai.Bald Cypress Initial Styling and PottingLarger Bald cypress specimens almost always lend themselves to one of two styles - either the classic pyramidal (informal...
Potting & Repotting Season – Beech And Crape Myrtle
potting & repotting season - beech and crape myrtleSneak PeekSpring is all about potting and repotting. Here are an American beech and an old Crape myrtle getting some attention.Potting and Repotting Season - Beech and Crape MyrtleI've been working on this...
Potting & Repotting Season – Bald Cypress
potting & repotting season - bald cypressSneak PeekLet's make a formal upright bonsai!Potting and Repotting Season - Bald CypressThe BC's are coming out - these are trees from south of me that "remember" where they're from, so usually nothing comes out before they...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #3 For 2022
bald cypress collecting trip #3 for 2022Sneak PeekMore specimens from this week's trip.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #3 for 2022It's a given that I'll have Bald cypresses budding out each year before just about everything else - Chinese elms usually being first. ...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #2 For 2022
bald cypress collecting trip #2 for 2022Sneak PeekMore specimens from this week's trip.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #2 for 2022The weather has taken a cold turn recently. Though we do alternate with moderate days, it seems that every weekend it turns cold again. As...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #1 For 2022
bald cypress collecting trip #1 for 2022Sneak PeekThis BC collecting season got off to a late start due to weather, but things are starting to look up.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #1 for 2022I love this time of year - but only for the opportunity to collect new...
Season’s End – Apple & Oak
season's end - apple & oakSneak PeekThe 2021 season has come to an end. The year was a strange one out there in the world, but in the world of bonsai we continue on. Here are two late-season show-offs.Season's End - Apple & OakThe 2021 season is now over,...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – Hawthorn, Cypress, Spekboom
bonsai odds & ends - hawthorn, cypress, spekboomSneak PeekFall brings a little color to our part of the Deep South. The growing season is over, but it's still fun to work on tropicals.Bonsai Odds & Ends - Hawthorn, Cypress, SpekboomHere is the Deep South we...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – American Elm, Lantana
bonsai odds & ends - american elm, lantanaSneak PeekHere's another American elm that's coming along, and a Lantana in bad need of a haircut.Bonsai Odds & Ends - American Elm, LantanaI've written about American elm before. It's sadly under-utilized for bonsai,...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – Dogwood, American Elm
bonsai odds & ends - dogwood, american elmSneak PeekLast time I showed you a Roughleaf dogwood that was eligible for the burn pile - only I saw some potential in it. Here's the result. Plus a small American elm.Bonsai Odds & Ends - Dogwood, American ElmLast...
Making Bonsai Lemonade – Roughleaf Dogwood
making bonsai lemonade - roughleaf dogwoodSneak PeekWe all have trees that don't grow as planned. This usually involves dieback. But sometimes you can make bonsai lemonade out of a lemon.Making Bonsai Lemonade - Roughleaf DogwoodI've written about this Roughleaf...
Sweetgum Fast-Track Styling
sweetgum fast-track stylingSneak PeekI usually only have as much patience with a tree as it will force on me. When they seem to want to develop quickly, I do take advantage.Sweetgum Fast-Track StylingI lifted this Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) from my...
Bald Cypress With Knee Gets Initial Styling
bald cypress with knee gets intial stylingSneak PeekIt's always great to find Bald cypresses in the swamp that have knees, especially when the scale is right. Here's one that's ready for its first styling.Bald Cypress with Knee Gets Initial StylingI was really...
Live Oak Update
live oak updateSneak PeekSometimes you have to start over with a bonsai. That has been the case with this old Live oak I was left by a bonsai friend who passed.Live Oak UpdateBack in May I started the rebuilding process on what started out as a legacy tree I was...
New Flat-Top Bald Cypress
new flat-top bald cypressSneak PeekEach year we bring home a few BC's that catch my eye to the point that I want to train them. This one shouted "flat-top." So let's see if we can get that going.New Flat-Top Bald CypressWhen we brought home this year's Bald cypress...
Styling An Apple Bonsai To Be
styling an apple bonsai to beSneak PeekI collected this rather stout apple from a bonsai friend's property last year. Since then I've left it alone to grow out and gain strength. Now that some of the branches are almost too stiff to bend, it's time to do an initial...
Monster Bald Cypress Available
monster bald cypress availableSneak PeekWe always bring home a selection of very large Bald cypresses each collecting season. Here's one that's available for someone looking for a "statement" BC.Monster Bald Cypress AvailableWe brought home this monster Bald cypress...
Change Of Design For Spekboom
change of design for spekboomSneak PeekHave you ever had a tree that was completely designed, and then the design just stopped working for you. That's what happened to me with this Spekboom.Change of Design for SpekboomIn September of 2020 I repotted this Spekboom...
Maple Layering Success
maple layering successSneak PeekThis Swamp maple, Acer Drummondii, has been developing nicely for the past year. But there's always been a problem with the base. Time for a layering!Maple Layering SuccessThis Swamp maple has developed quickly since we collected it...
Bald Cypress Styling – Formal And Informal Upright
bald cypress styling - formal and informal uprightSneak PeekIt doesn't matter if your Bald cypress bonsai is going to be a formal upright or an informal upright, certain "rules" apply to the design.Bald Cypress Styling - Formal and Informal Upright I first showed you...
The Beech Code?
the beech code?Sneak PeekBeech make wonderful bonsai. American beech, however, is nowhere near as amenable to development as its European or Japanese counterparts. But that might not be the end of the story ....The Beech Code?I collected this American beech, Fagus...
Rebuilding A Live Oak Bonsai
rebuilding a live oak bonsaiSneak PeekSometimes you have to start over with a bonsai. That has been the case with this old Live oak I was left by a bonsai friend who passed.Rebuilding a Live Oak BonsaiI've shown you this Live oak bonsai before. I received it as a...
Mayhaw Work And Lantana Flowers (Surprise)
mayhaw work and lantana flowers (surprise)Sneak PeekI have this Mayhaw I collected a couple of years ago. It's grown well enough that some development work is called for. Plus I have a Lantana that is producing flowers that are - reduced in size?Mayhaw Work and...
Flat-top Bald Cypress Bonsai – Starting A New Specimen
flat-top bald cypress - how to get startedSneak PeekThe flat-top Bald cypress bonsai is the fastest to create from scratch. That's because you get to take advantage of the tree's apical dominance.Flat-top Bald Cypress - How to Get StartedI'm convinced that there are...
Portrait Time – Hawthorn, Oak, Elm
portrait time - hawthorn, oak, elmSneak PeekThere's nothing like the combination of spring, sunny weather and nicely developed bonsai.Portrait Time - Hawthorn, Oak, Water-ElmWell, after the winter we had it does your heart good to see your trees responding to spring. ...
Coming Attractions – American Elm And Live Oak
coming attractions - american elm and live oakSneak PeekIt's very uncommon to see American elm and Live oak bonsai. There are reasons for the dearth of specimens. Here's one of each I've started on the bonsai journey.Formal Upright Bald Cypress - Development 101It's...
Formal Upright Bald Cypress – Development 101
formal upright bald cypress - development 101Sneak PeekTo begin with the beginning of a formal upright BC (or most every style), you must do one thing....Formal Upright Bald Cypress - Development 101I have found that the collected formal upright Bald cypress is much...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – Rip, Swamp Maple, Ginkgo, Surprise
bonsai odds & ends - rip, swamp maple, ginkgo, surpriseSneak PeekSpring is in full force, and there's lots going on around here. Today it's worth checking in on 'Rip van Winkle' the Willow oak, the Swamp maple and Ginkgo I potted late, and a surprise.Bonsai Odds...
Late Potting Or Repotting Your Bonsai
late potting or repotting your bonsaiSneak PeekWho doesn't dread the idea of late potting or repotting a bonsai? It's all supposed to get done on time. But ....Late Potting or Repotting Your BonsaiThere's potting time for bonsai, which is usually repotting time. ...
Big Water-Elm Progression
big water-elm progressionSneak PeekWe collected this big Water-elm in late-summer 2018. It's three years later, and time for the tree to go into its custom bonsai pot.Big Water-elm ProgressionThis very nice and very large Water-elm - trunk base 4" above the root...
It’s Happening – Sunshine, Warmth and Foliage
it's happening - sunshine, warmth and foliageSneak PeekIt's hard to describe how you feel when after bitter cold, snow and ice, you finally get sunshine warmth, and foliage on your bonsai!It's Happening - Sunshine, Warmth and FoliageIt's so great to finally be getting...
Big Bald Cypress Gets A Home
big bald cypress gets a homeSneak PeekI've been working on this big Bald cypress since 2015. I've been anxiously waiting for the day when it got a home suited to it. Today it happened.Big Bald Cypress Gets a HomeYou've seen this big Bald cypress on a number of...
Post-Snow Elm Work
post-snow elm workSneak PeekThis past week was the worst, weather-wise, since 2014. I did better at freeze protection.Post-Snow Elm WorkIt's been an interesting time since my last blog two weeks ago. Last Saturday and Sunday were spent putting all of my temperate...
Huckleberries Leafing Out, And Freeze Protection
huckleberries leafing out, and freeze protectionSneak PeekNot only are my Huckleberries opening flower buds, they're also starting to leaf out. Here comes the coldest night of the year so far!Huckleberries Leafing Out, and Freeze ProtectionRecently I wrote about the...
An American Beech With Potential
an american beech with potential Sneak PeekI seldom collect American beech, despite their natural beauty. They're just way sloooow to train. But sometimes you find one with potential. An American Beech with Potential I rarely collect American beech, Fagus...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #5 For 2021
bald cypress collecting trip #5 for 2021Sneak PeekTrees are starting to bud already south of us, so this is probably our last BC collecting trip for 2021.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #5 for 2021The willows are coming out now, down south of us, and the swamp maples are...
Huckleberry Flowers – A January Tradition
huckleberry flowers - a january tradition Sneak PeekHuckleberries flower and fruit reliably in a bonsai pot. Because they flower so early, they help brighten up an otherwise drab time of year. Huckleberry Flowers - a January Tradition We're getting closer to the...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #4 For 2021
bald cypress collecting trip #4 for 2021Sneak PeekOur goal this week was to collect some additional smaller cypresses. We had some good luck.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #4 for 2021We went after some additional smaller specimens today, and we had great success. This...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #3 For 2021
bald cypress collecting trip #3 for 2021 Sneak PeekThis week's catch featured a couple of big ones, though they weren't quite as large as last week's big ones; plus we got some smaller material as well. Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #3 for 2021 Here's another one of...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #2 For 2021
bald cypress collecting trip #2 for 2021Sneak PeekThis week we went for larger specimens.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #2 for 2021This is the sort of tree I'm not supposed to be collecting anymore. But doggone, it was just something I couldn't pass up! Isn't the...
Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #1 For 2021
bald cypress collecting trip #1 for 2021Sneak PeekHappy New Year! Time to go collect some new BC's.Bald Cypress Collecting Trip #1 for 2021I don't like this time of year at all, but then again it's the best time to collect Bald cypress. The weather was cool, the...
Spekboom Styling
spekboom stylingSneak PeekYou can style a Spekboom bonsai just about any time. The nice thing about them is, they'll keep on growing right through winter with the right conditions.Spekboom StylingSo it's winter now, and the only things I've got that are growing are...
Bonsai Odds & Ends – Big BC And Rip Van Winkle Color Up
big bc and rip van winkle color upSneak PeekFall is supposed to mean fall color, but this is not necessarily the case here in the Deep South. With that said, I'm really proud of these two specimens. Big BC and Rip Van Winkle Color Up Down here in the Deep South...
We Do More So Our Members Can Have More
Our trees are collected and field grown … which means we hunt them in the wild and we raise them in our bonsai garden.
We choose only the best because we deserve … and you deserve … only the best.
New Bonsai Blogs
How-to articles that show you, step-by-step, how Zach develops both stock material and finished bonsai. Images are included.
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One-Of-A-Kind Trees
Fine quality collected and field grown deciduous and broadleaf evergreen trees that are designed and developed expertly before release to clients.
The Bonsai Files
Access to general and how-to articles, the Bonsai Files, that are detailed and filled with bonsai images showing before, during, and after.
Image Gallery
A ton of pictures detailing the progression and craftsmanship of Zach’s one-of-a-kind, unique bonsai. Great visuals!
Bonsai Workshops
One-on-one, private workshops and small group workshops with Zach are held in historic, beautiful St. Francisville, Louisiana.
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Want to know when new trees and new how-to articles are posted at Bonsai South? Zach will keep you updated; just enter your name and email and we'll handle the rest.