May 2005 General Meeting notes

Redwood,sequoia sempervirons, native to northern California was initially shunned by the local bonsai enthusiasts according to BSSF?s own Tim Kong. Fast growing and course it did not seem to have the qualities one looks for in bonsai material. The challenge then was irresistible for Tim, arguably the bay area guru of redwood bonsai cultivation.
For his program Tim brought along Steve Jang and Eric Schrader and a large assortment of redwood trees in various styles to illustrate the evening?s lesson.
Redwood cultivation almost always begins with a collected and growing tree. Redwoods primarily reproduce from sprouts which form at the base of established trees. Here in northern California we have the advantage of thousands of acres of habitat as well as well stocked nurseries which carry them. Tim urges that when collecting from the wild you have permission. Whether from a property owner or a state agency in the case of public lands.
Tim tells us that when redwoods began being styled for bonsai the emphasis was on having a straight trunk and aiming for a formal upright style. His travels in the forest exposed him to other forms of this ubiquitous tree and he has purposely pursued the anomalies to the typical form most people think of this tree taking. In this pursuit he has discovered some remarkable and surprising characteristics of the redwood which greatly expand our understanding of this material.
Once you have permission to collect you are only limited by your ability to carry out the material you collect. Eric, who spent the evening demonstrating initial styling on a large tree with about a 10? diameter talked about collecting it from a friends property in Mencocino county. A good saw is necessary both for shortening taller trees and removing the tree from the ground. While removing the tree from the ground with some roots has benefits it is not essential as redwood material will sprout roots from bare wood if potted in a proper medium and kept watered and out of the hot sun. In fact Tim recommends straight saw cutting the trees where you think the base is and starting roots from scratch. A twist on this is collecting redwood roots and turning them upside down to form trees. Steve Jang brought along an example of this technique which had a texture and form unlike any other tree on display. It seems the redwood has been graced by nature with an irresistable urge to grow, root and thrive. This quality works to the advantage of the bonsai stylist.
The conversation moved to styling and maintenance of redwood bonsai and again the prodigious growth habit of the material plays an important role. Several of the trees on display when collected were nearly devoid of branches with a minimum of foliage. With redwoods this is a condition which doesn?t last long. Once established the challenge is to direct and shape the exploding foliage which bursts forth from all over the tree. Single branches can be directed as new apexes and side branches and in a relatively short time comprise the bulk of the tree. Steve had an exemplary tree which was comprised of two trunks which had fused above ground leaving a gaping passage between them. Again with just a couple of branches, good planning and time Steve has been able to create new apexes from the bare wood and the training is beginning to pay off in a very natural looking tree. When training your tree Tim urges that you remove branches which grow straight up or down and to wire branches which you intend to keep in accordance with the style. Wire up to thicken or create a new apex or down to slow the branch or enhance the style. Keep the branches thinned out. Redwoods put out foliage in multiple bunches which should be maintained and cut back to two or three buds. This will prevent the branch from becoming course or developing reverse taper. New foliage should be pinched back. The new foliage tends to be bigger than past years needles so the pinching helps keep the scale as well as forcing budding back. Tim claims the Miwoks used these tender shoots,boiled as a stomach ailment remedy.

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