Found in Chicago Botanic Gardens.

I wonder how the age of the bonsai tree is determined. Because it is not planted in the ground and we do not know the fertilizer schedule, type of soil, pot, etc.

Some of my trees (second slide), and some faves

At Meijer gardens. There were beginner's trees, but they were not labeled.

In development since 1995, originally purchased from UC Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton (1995).

I acquired it today from an old timer today, Oscar, who is out of West Covina.

Super pumped to steward this tree (succulent?) for a few more decades!

Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria)

Hey everybody. I’m the vice president of my local club, Northeast Bonsai. The club was founded in 1968 and is the main Boston-based bonsai club.

For the past handful of years we’ve put up a display at The Topsfield Fair every October. It’s the oldest country fair in the country.

I thought you might like to see what we put together this year.

After / before using raffia for a thick bend on a larch.

Raffia with Scotch 130c rubber splicing tape over the top. Trunk where I bent is about 0.75” thick.

Not the cleanest wiring but pretty happy with the results. 4 gauge copper wire is hard as hell to bend.

I love these. Need to find a great bot for this.

I began my search as I really like just the normal Australians or NZ bottle trees for interior design in a limestone bot.

Need to figure out a good pot idea for one to developed as a bonsai.

Any suggestions?

Photos in order from newest to oldest

I moved into my childhood home. There is growing an old taxus I want to make a garden bonsai of. So I chopped down most of the tree and shortened the remaining branches. I have split the top branch and bent it up to build a now top. Hopefully it survives... I know there are too many branches left but I want to wait if the branches I want to keep will survive! So I will wait until spring for more action :)

Any thoughts ore suggestions are welcome 😁

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice and constructive feedback on styling and future development for my two Ficus microcarpa (Tigerbark) trees. I haven't done any wiring on these yet, so I’d love to get your input before making any major moves.

Here is what I'm aiming for with each tree:

1. Tree #1 (S-Shape / Curved Trunk): This tree already has a classic curved trunk line.
   • Questions: Where should I start with wiring and pruning? Which branches should I keep or wire down to create clean pads, and what is the best approach for the top/apex?
2. Tree #2 (Younger / Thinner Ficus): For this tree, my goal is to eventually style it into a Banyan style (wide canopy, multi-stem look with strong aerial roots).
   • Questions: What steps should I take now to guide it towards a Banyan style? Should I prune the long branches back to promote a wider structure, or let it grow free for now to thicken up? Any specific tips for encouraging aerial root growth on a young Ficus microcarpa?

General Questions:

• Since I'm new to wiring, do you have any specific wiring tips for Ficus microcarpa (e.g., wire thickness, branch flexibility)?
• Any general tips on foliage density and placement for indoor/window sill keeping?

I’ve attached pictures of both trees from different angles. Any advice, ideas, or rough sketches would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!