This Month

Andy and his wife, both born in Columbus, attended Ohio State University. In 1982, they decided to walk across the United States. When they reached the West Coast in 83, they felt the place they enjoyed the most was South Dakota, where both had worked temporarily for the Forest Service. So back they went and again worked for the Forest Service conducting timber sales and timber cruises. A timber cruise is a survey of the health and ages of trees in a certain area. It was on one of these cruises' at the end of the season that Andy's wife bored a pine that turned out to be 750 years old. The oldest tree that had been found up to that point. That started Andy on a quest to find an older specimen. He became obsessed with old trees. As he
continued he began to notice that the old trees were all grouped in specific areas. Since trees are normally bored at 40" above the ground, he began to wonder about the age of the smaller trees in those areas. As he suspected they were also old, just naturally stunted by the environment. As has happened to many of us, about that same time Andy received a $10 bonsai from Kmart. That was all it took seven years ago to turn Andy in to a bonsai collector. He started selling his material as Golden Arrow Bonsai in 1994. Now he is traveling about 50,000 miles a year, attending shows and convention and presenting lectures on his fascination for the old trees he collects.

We have watered our trees all summer - but don’t stop now. When you place your bonsai in winter storage be sure they are moist. Outdoor trees are now in their winter rest (dormancy). They have stored their energies for the upcoming great new growth of spring. Because of the shortened hours of daylight your trees begin a period of rest. There is a gradual slowing of active growth. Deciduous trees loose their leaves. Buds develop a protective coating as lower temperatures herald the winter season.

Bonsai become dormant in winter the same as all the trees in your landscape. It is important to keep your bonsai dormant until late March. Warm temperatures encourage the start of spring growth regardless of the season. Once a tree breaks dormancy it is not possible to reverse the process. Keeping trees dormant can be difficult when temperatures fluctuate widely. Many bonsai have been killed when warm temperatures encourage new growth of buds and roots Then when temperature drop the new growth is killed. Thus, it is necessary to keep the root system cold. Mulching after the soils is frozen will help. Also, make sure that the part of the tree that is above ground is protected from the sun, wind and hungry creatures. If you take these steps you bonsai will be in good condition in spring. Now, relax and take time to read a book on bonsai or horticulture.

- Jim Hagan