John Thompson 1/1/25 John Thompson 1/1/25

Tree Tips

This year, Juan Cruz will devote the first program to transplanting. I’m looking forward to learning something new or a clearer way of expressing the process.

John Thompson 12/1/24 John Thompson 12/1/24

Tree Tips

It’s a good time to study the future of your trees and by mid month, the nights are going to be cold.

John Thompson 11/1/24 John Thompson 11/1/24

Tree Tips

What a great show we had this year! Thank you all for your hard work in putting it together.

John Thompson 10/1/24 John Thompson 10/1/24

Tree Tips

We're in the final lap before our annual show. At this month's first Thursday's meeting, bring in your show trees that you want to spruce up.

John Thompson 9/1/24 John Thompson 9/1/24

Tree Tips

Coming up is our show on October 19th. Getting our trees ready is now an important priority.

John Thompson 8/1/24 John Thompson 8/1/24

Tree Tips

I find that this time of year, June through mid-August, is one of the busiest and most productive and impactful times of year for working on my trees.

John Thompson 7/1/24 John Thompson 7/1/24

Tree Tips

Use every opportunity to improve the trees. Every time you touch or water your trees ask yourself what you can do to make them better.

John Thompson 6/1/24 John Thompson 6/1/24

Tree Tips

Check back soon for the June Tree Tips!

John Thompson 5/1/24 John Thompson 5/1/24

Tree Tips

The days are longer and warmer, and the sun angle has been sneaking up on us, so we need to get into watering mode now, in earnest, as the growing season is in full swing.

John Thompson 4/1/24 John Thompson 4/1/24

Tree Tips

Spring is pushing everywhere. I’ve pretty well finished transplanting and have been refreshing the top soil on many of my trees that didn’t need transplanting.

John Thompson 3/1/24 John Thompson 3/1/24

Tree Tips

Nice rain year for bonsai—though not so much for my golf game.

John Thompson 2/1/24 John Thompson 2/1/24

Tree Tips

This year we’ve had a steady stream of soaking rain, but very little sticking as snow pack in the mountain watersheds which may create a problem later in the year. Still I hope there is more on the way in February and March.

John Thompson 1/1/24 John Thompson 1/1/24

Tree Tips

This month’s first program will be on Transplanting. This is a vital activity that jump-starts the bonsai year.

John Thompson 12/1/23 John Thompson 12/1/23

Tree Tips

The nights are going to be cold in the mid 30’s and ideal to set good flower buds on fruiting trees. We had little rain in November so I hope we get some storms this month.

John Thompson 11/1/23 John Thompson 11/1/23

Tree Tips

It actually seems like fall is here. Cooler days and nights. Growth is slowing down.

John Thompson 10/1/23 John Thompson 10/1/23

Tree Tips

In late October, as the deciduous trees turn color, they signal that the tree is cutting off contact with the leaves.

John Thompson 9/1/23 John Thompson 9/1/23

Tree Tips

Take out your cell phone. Put in a new reminder for the same time and day each week: “Check Trees for Weeds and Needs.”

John Thompson 8/1/23 John Thompson 8/1/23

Tree Tips

When working on trees that you will want to show this year (September 30th) remember that it takes a number of weeks for cutting back to produce new shoots and a few more to have them harden off.

John Thompson 7/1/23 John Thompson 7/1/23

Tree Tips

Now is a good time to think about which trees you want to show for our September 30, 2023 show.

John Thompson 6/1/23 John Thompson 6/1/23

JT’s Tree Tips

Tree tips for us as the weather starts to get hot.