Hinoki cypress bonsai

The hinoki cypress is a Japan native held sacred to devotees of Shinto. It is hardy in the US in zones 4A to 8A. The featherleaf variety of the hinoki cypress has softer and more narrow leaves. New growth starts as a golden yellow color that matures to green. The species has a red bark that peels in strips.

Although very attractive, this tree can be a challenge for beginners to keep in bonsai form. Additionally, care must be taken to ensure the tree receives full sun and that it is never allowed to dry out completely.

Learn more about the hinoki cypress shown here.

Things to know and do before buying a bonsai tree

1. Research the species first
2. If your tree naturally grows in the shade some will need to be provided (naturally or via shade cloth).
3. Rotating your bonsai tree several times per growing season will help to ensure all areas receive exposure to the sun.
4. Try not to handle your bonsai daily. Leaving it alone will allow the root system to develop.
5. If the tree species you are considering does not grow well in your area in the ground then the chances are it won't do any better as a bonsai.
6. Using a well draining soil mix is key.
7. Research common pests and ailments associated with the tree species.
8. Join a bonsai club.
   

Dawn redwood bonsai

Rediscovered in China over 60 years ago the Dawn Redwood or metasequoia is a deciduous tree with needle-like leaves that turn from yellow to bronze before falling off in the winter.

Enthusiasts enjoy the dawn redwood for its thick trunk that is orange to brown in color. They are extremely hardy and grow well outdoors in full sun.

Learn more about the dawn redwood.

One of the best bonsai's for beginners, the Hawaiian Umbrella tree

The hawaiian umbrella tree, schefflera arboricola, forms a nice dense canopy of dark green leaves year round which make it great for forest banyan plantings as the picture to the left shows. One of the best aspects of using this species in bonsai is how easily it can grow indoors (lower lighting) and at the hands of beginners. Read the following article to learn why the hawaiian umbrella tree is great for beginners.

Yaupon holly bonsai

The yaupon holly, also known as cassena, is an evergreen bush that has an irregular branch pattern and small oval leaves.

An interesting fact about this tree is that although parts of the tree are poisonous, especially the berries, the Seminoles have made tea from the leaves. The leaves of the yaupon holly have a high caffeine concentration. The tea occasionally caused vomiting giving it the scientific name vomitoria.

It takes pruning and shaping well which is a good characteristic for a bonsai tree to have. This outdoor bonsai grows in USDA zones 7a-10b and is a Florida native.

Learn more about the yaupon holly.

Juniper torulosa (hollywood) project

Against the advice of everyone and my own research I am going to try and bonsai this interesting juniper torulosa, hollywood, tree that I found at the home improvement store.

Apparently their branching and foliage are not very interesting to most experts. Consequently, most agree that your time can be better spent on other species.

I am going to give it a shot anyway for some practice at the very least.

Here is a picture of a much older one created by artist Shig Mia.



So I started by seeing what the most interesting branches were and thinned out the others. After, I took 2mm gauge aluminum training wire and wired the branches. Admittedly, I was very sloppy with the wire, but it got the job done. I stopped here because I don't like doing too much at once. This still needs a lot more work.

The Trident Maple bonsai

The trident maple has shallow root system that does well in compacted and poor soils which makes it great for bonsai. This bonsai should be kept outdoors in full sun to partial shade.

It naturally forms a pyramid shape as it grows. Trident maple are not known to have many serious pests and grows in USDA zones 4B through 9B which allows it to grow in most parts of the country. The trident maple is known for its Autumn colors eventually losing all its leaves in the winter.

Learn more about trident maple bonsai trees.