Sunday, August 25, 2019

Bonsai Ace Jim Doyle Visits ACBS

by Michael Rusnak

This Last week of August, visiting bonsai artist Jim Doyle of Natures Way Nursery in Pennsylvania held a "bring your own tree project" workshop for ACBS members. Members brought several different species, including  junipers, spruce, ficus, raintree, and pines.

Jim spent time evaluating each of the trees members brought for the workshop.  He advised members, on proper care, design and developing the trees into better bonsai.

In addition, Jim was asked for advise on our clubs main project this summer-- developing the 50 year old maples that were collected from the front of the building where the club has been meeting. (Scroll down and see our April post)

Working with one example from the hedge dig this past spring that has been left to grow wild this season, he commented on the attributes of the species and gave several suggestions for how to develop foliage, keep the tree healthy, and also how to feature and preserve the dead wood and hollow areas of the trunk.  See this video of some of what he had to say at this link to our Youtube channel.


Jim added the following points about amur maples:
  • One of the best maples for fall color
    Responds with lots of growth when cut back
  • Likes a lot of water
  • When developed will adjust to shallow bonsai pot
  • The species is very winter hardy and does well in Canada
  • Branches can be easily air-layered to get new trees
  • Clean soft wood from hollows and dead areas, use PC wood hardener to preserve area
  • Thread grafting works well if branches needed 




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