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I’ve been working on a large coast redwood for the past few years in fits and starts. After an initial pruning and repotting (see “Coast redwood” for details) I’ve worked on the tree in earnest several times only to let it grow out again.

Even though it’s January, I’m just now starting my pine fall work. This entails pruning and thinning extra needles. When time allows, I wire the branches too!

It’s been fun to start planning for next year’s Pacific Bonsai Expo. Setting the date, selecting the space, and figuring out how everything will work has been the main focus so far. Now it’s time to start thinking about the trees!

The bright autumn colors of my maple bonsai arrived about two weeks late this season. But I think the short delay was worth the wait. The colors are not always as vibrant, note few damaged leaves. The bonsai have been especially well cared for this spring/summer, last time I watered was in early May. A special thanks to Diane, Alan and my Monday Senior Crew for their dedication and attention to detail!

ery soon people will travel to North Carolina for Steve Zeisel’s annual Winter Silhouette Bonsai Expo on December 4-5, 2021. Kindly wear a mask.

Twelve months from today, the doors will open for the Pacific Bonsai Expo. This makes today a great day to look at your garden and see what your trees look like at this time of year.

For the past three years, I’ve been working on a Ponderosa pine with large branches on the upper half of the trunk. I spent the first two years getting the tree healthy enough to work on and I lightly pruned and repotted it last year. The tree responded well and is now ready for styling.

When most of the leaves on deciduous trees have turned color or fallen away, it’s time for fall cutback.

Last weekend the Yamato Bonsai Kai hosted their 50th annual exhibition in Union City, California. The event featured demonstrations both days by club sensei Johnny Uchida, vendors, club sales, and a fun mix of show trees – several of which are among my favorites in the Bay Area.

Over the years I’ve written about various causes of yellow foliage on black pines. In an effort to record all of this information in one place, I’ve created a new guide that provides info on the following categories of yellow foliage: