Studying in advance

eferguson1974

eferguson1974

Chumono
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North Carolina
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7a
If you've read my posts before, you know I live in Costa Rica now. But I will be moving back to the States, NC, in a few months. And I will start over with bonsai right away, and my other madman projects like aquaponics. Anyway I will be in Lenoir, Idk what zone thats in yet. Now with nothing to do but wait, what kinds of trees should I read up on? I know its an hour drive up to where people go snow season. And being from Fl , I dont know much about the native trees. I will get some ficus for inside. But I want to fallow Leo's advice in another thread, and use native, local species. And maybe other species that will work for bonsai and be happy there. I asume junipers will work and maybe some kinds of elms, maples, pines, oaks and there are like 17 types of wild azalias. Surely some of those will work. But what are the best trees to learn about for someone fairly new to bonsai and totally new to NC? Id like to try a mugo pine if theyre happy there. I've read that elms are pretty tough, maybe even some Japanese species. I know there will be a lot more help with the trees there than here. And I can join a club or two. So reading up on specific tree species might be a good way to prep myself for the huge change. It should be spring when I get there, if it matters. I know that for digging and collecting the time of year is very important, more with some species than others. So there's my question, good species for the area and what to look for. I'd like to learn all I can ahead of time. As always, thank you very much for any ideas or advice!
 
I just looked it up and it looks like lenoir is in zone 8a 10-20°f average lows in winter. You'll have great success with elms as they are very tough and fast to progress. Junipers should do well there as well as JBP. I'm sure quite a few others will do great but I'm from the high desert so I can't speak too much of the east coast.

Aaron
 
eferguson1974 said:
If you've read my posts before, you know I live in Costa Rica now. But I will be moving back to the States, NC, in a few months. And I will start over with bonsai right away, and my other madman projects like aquaponics. Anyway I will be in Lenoir, Idk what zone thats in yet. Now with nothing to do but wait, what kinds of trees should I read up on? I know its an hour drive up to where people go snow season. And being from Fl , I dont know much about the native trees. I will get some ficus for inside. But I want to fallow Leo's advice in another thread, and use native, local species. And maybe other species that will work for bonsai and be happy there. I asume junipers will work and maybe some kinds of elms, maples, pines, oaks and there are like 17 types of wild azalias. Surely some of those will work. But what are the best trees to learn about for someone fairly new to bonsai and totally new to NC? Id like to try a mugo pine if theyre happy there. I've read that elms are pretty tough, maybe even some Japanese species. I know there will be a lot more help with the trees there than here. And I can join a club or two. So reading up on specific tree species might be a good way to prep myself for the huge change. It should be spring when I get there, if it matters. I know that for digging and collecting the time of year is very important, more with some species than others. So there's my question, good species for the area and what to look for. I'd like to learn all I can ahead of time. As always, thank you very much for any ideas or advice!
Click to expand...
Go check out the collection at the NC arboretum
I wouldn't waste too much time trying focus on indigenous species really. Focus more on the Trees that do well as bonsai and grow all over in landscapes in the SE: Japanese Maples, Crepe Myrtle, Juniper, Pines of most any sort should do well there but local varieties are tough for Bonsai compared to JBP and JWP... Virginia Pine are better than some others like Eastern WP or some of the varieties with really long needles...
 
Rusty Davis said:
I would research Bald Cypress
Click to expand...
One of the best local varieties for Bonsai for sure! If locals are your focus, there are Hornbeams all over the SE and in the mountains some nice Hemlocks as well.. but a bug has just about destroyed the Sherlock population in the mountains of NC in recent years...
 
Well, your location is ideal for most of the great species for bonsai.

But, it's even better because of the opportunities you will have to work with other bonsai artists in the area.

First off, there's the "Bonsai Learning Center" in Mooresville. They offer trees, supplies, and education. Bjorn gives workshops there.

Then, there's Tyler Sherrod in Hickory. (Even closer!). He has recently returned to the US from studying 5 years with Shinji Suzuki, one of the premier bonsai artists in Japan. He is a "Certified Bonsai Master" by the Nippon Bonsai Association.

Down in Charlotte, there' Danny Coffey. He's been at Achien for several years, and goes back frequently. That's where Peter Tea and Juan Andrade did their apprenticeships. He's also worked with Akio Kondo. He's an outstanding artist.

In my opinion, there's no better way to learn bonsai than by working with someone who really knows what they're doing.

As for species, develop a foundation working with the species that have well established techniques. Once you master those, then you can branch out to the less commonly used species.
 
Mugo pine might do well in the NC mountains but not so great in the Piedmont. Junipers of all kinds including natives and J. chinensis cultivars will thrive. Natives like Hackberry, elm and bald cypress(native to NC but not specifically where you're moving too) will be bomb proof, too. Azaleas will love it, as will Japanese maples and Tridents. JBP, JRP and even JWP will work, as will natives like P. virginiana. You will definitely be in a sweet spot for growing many different species...and you'll be a hop, skip, and a jump away from some decent pros as mentioned by Adair, as well as some good bonsai nurseries with good material grown specifically for bonsai.
http://www.thegrowinggrounds.com/
http://www.greenthumbbonsai.com/
 
I moved to NC a little over 2 years ago from S Florida and couldn't wait to start working junipers, azaleas and pines, which I have a few of now. I have yet to get any deciduous trees but in time. I have liquid amber, hornbeams, and elms growing on my property though.

Like the Adair mentioned, the Bonsai Learning center, I've been there several times, is a great place. The Bonsai Society of the Carolinas is fairly close. There is also 2 great shows here. The Carolina Bonsai Expo in Asheville and the Winter Silhouette show in Kannapolis
 
Wow! Thanks everyone! I knew that a lot of tree species. But not that many were good for bonsai. And the location being so good is news to me also. I know there is a club in Ashville, an hours drive. I will check it out. I'm sure there are more and I will check it out. I'm feeling a lot better about going to NC and not back to Fl now for sure! There should be plenty places to go fishin' in freshwater, and the beach isnt that far. I've been a fishin' addict since I was 3, catching blue gills with a cane pole. Now I'm into big fish with ultralite tackle. That must be where I learned patiance?! So if any Bnuts live near by and love to fish, lets go. I cant wait to dive right back into bonsai now with all the encouraging and positive posts. So thank you all for a nice Christmas gift, good news! I was kinda bummed about not going to Fl but not so much now. I can always visit and pick up some tropicals for inside. I want every species of ficus that is good for bonsai. And being able to have their correct names? Wow!
 
eferguson1974 said:
Merry Christmas or happy hollidays to all my fellow Bnuts, however you celebrate them, and blessings to your families too!
Click to expand...
Merry Christmas, glad your coming to the states so you can truly improve your skills and knowledge of bonsai! It's too bad you can't bring any of your ficus back, I really liked some of them.

Aaron
 
You need climate will be very similar to low elevation areas of Japan, so all the classic bonsai species are possible. NC including the Appalachian mountains is a biodiversity hot spot for tree species, many, many species to choose from. Surf the NC State Forestry websites and see if something grabs your imagination. I would look into black gum, Nyssa sylvatica. Great autumn colors. Also see what is growing in your new back yard.
 
It gets better! My family has a couple lots with trees on them. Idk what kind but its secondary growth gone wild. I'm pretty sure its a good place to start. I can dig or plant whatever I want. My family is a bunch of gardeners, and tree plantees. I can have a greenhouse too. I'll miss my strangler figs but I get to live in a way better place for bonsai. And I'm free to have a bigass aquaponics system too. So now its a matter of sitting around waiting and jumping thru some hoops (new passport, divorce, child visitation worked out, big hoops) but it should be a few months. I'm over my CR dream but better for the experiance. And I'll be back but only for my son. I'm calling the States home again, and the sooner the better! The sooner to torture other trees.
 
Hope things are working out. Looks like you've had a bit of a rough patch.


So have a Happy Birthday @eferguson1974 !!!
HappyBirthday.gif
Have some tequila and fish tacos...get frisky....:cool::D:D:D:D:D:D
 
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