Boxwood - Buxus sp.

Kusamura Club Calendar
July 2007
• July 18 Board meeting (old and new combined)
• July 20 Meeting - Stephanie North on Care and Training of Boxwood
August 2007
• August 25 Special event bus trip
• NO regular meeting at St. Mark's
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Collecting Nursery Material
Article compiled by Jerry Carpenter

With the bus trip coming up in August, it is a good idea to think about what we want to add to our collections from nursery stock and growing grounds. For many of us, this is where our collections begin. Sometimes we can purchase a bonsai that has already been trained for years by going to shows, auctions, and special sales but as we are patient people who like to learn the art of bonsai and have patience to watch them grow, the nursery is our heaven. So what do we look for in that plant material?

Our first premise is species. What species are best suited for our collection and bring us joy. I, for example, like deciduous trees like Trident Maples, Beech, and Elm. I have a special fondness for Olives but I dabble with Junipers as well. This means that when I approach a nursery or growing ground that I RUN to the maples! I am prepared to get dirty then because it will take much lifting of pots, turn trees, removing old leaves and sometimes getting down on hands and knees to view the material.

Next we look at the nebari, which is the crown and surface roots of the plant. It is the hardest thing to find; roots that spread, have substance and are radial round the trunk of the tree. We do not want roots that wrap around each other or grow strong in a circular pattern.

For me the trunk of the tree is the next goal. Looking at thickness of the trunk, movement, health, bark, height, and taper are key.  Once you have the trunk, you move to examining the branch structure. Find the ultimate apex and then find the number one and two branches. Look for a front and if the tree provides for good back branches. The number one branch is usually one third the height of the tree and not as heavy as the trunk. The branches should be thicker at the bottom and thinner at the top. Thick top branches will most likely have to be sacrificed. The number two branch should not be directly opposite the number one or directly behind the trunk. You may have to choose a branch that will take many years to grow out. 

Look for trees with small leaves and considerable branching. Some trees can be trained to develop smaller leaves but some species cannot and you must choose the species carefully. After choosing your material, bring them home and sit with them for awhile. You can trim braches, remove leaves, do some basic wiring but wait until the winter months to repot and cut roots. This will require patience. I like to begin removing branches to reveal the trunk, plan the movement and design that will be when the time is right.  Let’s go hunting and enjoy the bus trip.

Other Events
August 4 - San Francisco, California
San Francisco Suiseki Kai: 26th Annual Exhibit at the Union Bank Hospitality Room in Japan Center (Post Street between Laguna and Fillmore Streets).  Hours are 10AM-5PM both days.  For further information, call Janet Roth at (510) 530-1577, or email at janet@jtroth.com.

August 25 - Santa Rosa, California
Redwood Empire Bonsai Society: 24th Annual Bonsai Show at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave.  Hours are Saturday 10AM-5PM and Sunday 10AM-4PM.  Demonstrations by Kathy Shaner at 1:30PM both days. Large sales area with plants, pots, books, tools & related items.  Door prizes and Benefit Drawings.  For information, call Bob Shimon (707) 884-4126 or email shimon@mcn.org.  Web page: www.rebsbonsai.org.

July 20, 2007 MEETING
Demonstration and Workshop 7:00– 9:30 Boxwood Styling lead by Stephanie North

Thanks to a generous donation from Robert Kickhofel, a former member of Kusamura and Bay Area Shohin Society, both clubs are beneficiaries of 40-year-old boxwood trees that he collected 10 years ago.

Twelve of these trees will be available at the workshop which members can begin work on for future sale at the annual show or purchase the trees outright, or you may bring your own boxwood trees for assistance. Stephanie will have a handout on boxwood care and discuss styling. Lonnie McCormick will be on hand to assist with jin work. We'd like to see all 12 trees adopted and taken home from the meeting. Anyone needing additional help in styling the trees is encouraged to take theirs to Sandy Planting's workshops.

Show and Tell will feature your Boxwood examples as well. You are encouraged to bring examples of the species that you may need feedback on - the team will help with personalized information and you are encouraged to share your expertise in styling these trees.

News
Special Sale Announced - 1 DAY Only
Larry Wittman of 1286 Main (cross street Harrison) in Santa Clara is having a small collection sale. His collection has been tended for 30 years. He has 25 Bonsai and various starter plants, pots, and book for sale. The event will be Saturday, July 7, from 9 AM to 12 Noon. South bay clubs have be notified so if you are curious please arrive in the early hours of this short sale.

August Bus Trip is ON!
Kusamura is collecting fees for the annual bus trip now. The Bus trip will be on August 25th starting at 8 am, gathering at St. Mark's and buss leaves on time, to 6 PM arriving back at St. Mark's. We will visit Sumigawas nursery and growing grounds then go to the Redwood Empire  Bonsai Show where Kathy Shaner will be doing a demonstration, see the large sales area, and enjoy refreshments, door prizes, etc. Bring sun screen, hat, and your bag lunch.  Price of bus is $45 a person and this year must be paid by August 4th. We need 26 prepaid on or before August 4th. If there are not enough people paid then you money is returned. Please contact Barbara Murray  who is collecting the money for the bus trip both at the two meetings and via mail. She will also answer question by phone at 650.321. 7241.  

Programming Suggestions
The Board is soliciting members’ ideas for programs for the coming year. Please see a board member to express your ideas for workshops.

St Mark’s Hall Setup and Clean Up -
Remember to bring a box and plastic to work in when you bring trees to the meeting.

July 18 will be a Board Meeting combined boards old and new will gather for the transition.

Show Chair
We thank Sandy Planting for a wonderful job as Show Chair this year and now as for a candidate to accept the position of Show Chair for the ’08 show. The position needs to be assigned so that booking and design steps can be taken soon. Please contact John Planting if you are interest this month.

New Members and Interested Prospective Members
We extend an invitation to all those who are receiving this newsletter to come and check out our meetings and consider joining our club. We are sending a series of newsletters via USPS mail or electronically to interested people who visited our show. We welcome you all. There are many educational and fun events planned and you can help us make them complete with your continued support.

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