April 2023

Our Yardadori Dig

By Tung X. Dao

Last month, we had a team of 4 people from 3 different clubs across the Bay Area attend our yardadori dig in the East Bay. Amy from Marin, Justin from REBS, Pete from Midori, and myself arrived at the site and started looking at the incredibly dense swath of junipers. 60 years created some very dense growth.

We started at 9am. Just to make things exciting, the first thing we noticed was that there was poison oak on one corner of the yard. Luckily, we were able to avoid that section of the yard.

After cutting our way through the foliage for almost an hour, we finally found some trunks. Let me tell you, these trunks were crazy, twisted, and gnarly.

Amy and I decided to team up, as it had taken an hour already and we’ve only cleared enough to see the trunk. We still had to clear enough room for us to dig up the tree!

Lots of tools were involved. I worked with mostly bonsai tools. They were small, but mighty. I brought a reciprocating saw and two batteries. This tool was indispensable as we started digging and needed to cut very thick roots and branches.

Justin was very quick in collecting his tree. He chose a smaller and easy-to-remove tree and was done by noon. The rest of us had a lot more work ahead of us, though.

Pro tip: Bring all the batteries you have for the reciprocating saw. You’ll be glad to have them. The whole day was punctuated by calls of “Loppers!”, “Sawzall!”, and “Shovel!”, much like what we would imagine a surgical team might do (hopefully with different tools! 😂)

We ran out of battery for the reciprocating saw towards the end of the day and progress slowed significantly. Luckily, I had a small bonsai saw that saved the day when we needed to make one final root cut to get Pete’s tree out of the ground. We tried everything before that, including running to the hardware store and buying an ax in a desperate attempt to make that final cut.

For all the trees, we cleared the foliage around the tree to get access to the trunk. We then started digging the rootball up and clearing thick roots away. We always made sure that the tree had enough green on top. It’s very easy to cut away all of the foliage as it has grown very convolutely.

By 5pm that day, all three trees had been dug up and collected. Lots of sore muscles, scratched up arms, and sweat went into the dig. Amy and I decide to donate a portion of the tree’s proceeds to the Marin Bonsai Club, assuming it gets healthy enough in a few years to be presented at a demonstration.

Pete was kind enough to drive our tree back to Novato since Amy and I brought rather small sub-compact cars to the dig.

All in all, it was an amazing experience to experience the raw power of 60 years of growth. I would like to thank our host, Miguel, who was kind enough to let us collect. I also want to thank Robert for the lead that led to this event. 🌳

Some photos from throughout the day. Photos by: Tung X. Dao

More moments from throughout the day. Photos by: Amy Pertschuk

Some upcoming club Shows

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Pines with Jonas Dupuich

Thursday April 6, 2023
Midori Bonsai Club

April’s first Thursday meeting will be devoted to pines. Jonas Dupuich, a noted bonsai professional in the Bay Area will be sharing his many years of experience with pine development. Also, Jonas wants you to bring in your pines for his critique and suggestions.

OPEN WORKSHOP

Thursday April 20, 2023
Midori Bonsai Club

This is an open workshop. Bring in your trees and we’ll help you with any questions you may have.

cherry blossom festival

Saturday and Sunday April 29-30, 2023

Quinlan Community Center
10185 N Stelling Rd
Cupertino, CA 95014

Join us for the festivities at the Cherry Blossom Festival. We will have trees, both display and in-development, at this show.

Club Nursury Tour

TBD May, 2023

The club will have a nursery tour in May. Stay tuned for more details.

UPCOMING BONSAI EVENTS

For an up to date list, check out the Golden State Bonsai Federation events page.

CHICO BONSAI SOCIETY SHOW

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
APRIL 1-2, 2023

CHICO, CA

Drop Leo Martin a line to get show details: leormartin@gmail.com.

Modesto Bonsai Club Show

Saturday, April 15, 2023
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Stanislaus Agricultural Harvest Hall
3800 Cornucopia Way
Modesto, CA 95358

Join us for our 40th annual Bonsai and Suiseki show.

We will have sales of trees, pots, tools, and other bonsai related items throughout the day.

A demonstration will be presented by Sam Adina at 1:30 pm.

For more information contact: Peter Camarena
Email: pete.camarena@sbcglobal.net

American Bonsai Association, Sacramento (ABAS)

Saturday and Sunday, April 8-9, 2023
Apr 8, 10:00 AM – Apr 9, 4:00 PM

3330 McKinley Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95816

The American Bonsai Association, Sacramento’s (ABAS) 63rd Annual Spring Bonsai & Suiseki Show and Sale will feature headliner, Todd Schlafer of First Branch Bonsai. Demonstrations will take place both Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 PM.

In addition to a our quality exhibition, there will be a large vendor area and consignment sales area! A daily benefit raffle will include each day’s demonstration trees and many more bonsai and bonsai related items. A beginners workshop will be offered Saturday morning. For more information, check out abasbonsai.org or call Dodie Newman at 916-799-9575 or 916-801-4424

San Diego Bonsai Club Show

Saturday April 29, 2023
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Balboa Park
Casa Del Prado
San Diego, CA

For more information contact Ignacio De La Torre
Email: igdlt@att.net

Kusamura Bonsai Club Exhibit, Sale and Demonstration

Saturday and Sunday, April 29-30, 2023
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Addison School
1045 Webster
Palo Alto, CA

Demonstrations starting at 1:30 both days, followed by benefit raffle and door prizes. Saturday Demonstration given by Michael Greenstein. Over 60 bonsai on display.

Venue Name: Addison School
Street Address: 650 Addison Street with event entrance around corner at 1045 Webster in Palo Alto, CA

Large sale area, guided show tour, Doctor Bonsai, educational guide and children's corner. For more information contact show co-chairs: Idris Anderson|idrisan@gmail.com Marsha Mekisich|springhill.2@outlook.com

Phone: (+1) 650-477-4761

THE SACRAMENTO BONSAI CLUB’S 77TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW

SATURDAY, MAY 06, 2023
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

2401 RIVERSIDE BLVD
SACRAMENTO, CA 95818

Join us for our 77th ANNIVERSARY SHOW of Bonsai and Suiseki. It is One-Day Only!

Free admission/donation, raffle drawings, large members’ sale of bonsai-related materials. Demonstration at 1:30pm.

juddbonsai@att.net
www.sacbonsaiclub.com
Phone: (+1) 19163008103

Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai Exhibit & Sale

Saturday, May 13, 2023
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

2555 Mar Vista Dr
Aptos, CA 95003

Join us for the Show & Sale but stay for the Demonstration at 1pm.

For more information contact Helen Klee 831-462-5829. www.santacruzbonsaikai.com

Bay Area Satsuki Aikokai & Yamato Bonsai Kai’s Show

BASA Demo: Sat, May 20th 1-3 pm
Yamato Demo: Sun, May 21st 1-3 pm

Lakeside Park Garden Center
666 Bellevue Ave
Oakland, CA 94610

These two clubs joint show offers Azalea in full bloom and fine bonsai in formal displays.

Large member tree sales and imported Japanese material vendor area • Free admission • Public parking

For more information: http://satsukiazaleabonsai.org/

Contact Darren Wong: Sohjuen@aol.com

Sei Boku Bonsai Kai Show

with world renowned special guest demonstrator David De Groot

Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4, 2023
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

San Mateo Gardens
605 Parkside Way
San Mateo, CA 94403

In addition to show, world renowned special guest demonstrator David De Groot will provide demo Saturday 1-3pm, with Demo tree raffle following. Sunday 1-3pm, David will lead an open to public viewing workshop, with workshop tree raffled after. Both days 3pm benefit raffle and door prizes.

Tree Clinic—Vendor Sales—Plant Sales—Free Admission
For additional information: Marsha Mekisich|springhill.2@outlook.com
Phone: (+1) 650-477-4761

East Bay Bonsai Society Annual Auction

Wednesday June 14, 2023
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Lakeside Park Garden Center
666 Bellevue Ave
Oakland, CA 94610

The East Bay Bonsai Society will be having an in-person bonsai auction on Wednesday, June 14th at 666 Bellevue Ave., Lakeside Park Garden Center (Lake Merritt) in Oakland, California! The auction will start at 7:30pm with a preview at 7:00pm. It will include established and starter bonsai trees, pots, tools, etc. Credit cards, checks, and cash accepted. Free admission. Parking available. Sales tax will be added to purchases. Masks are required.

The East Bay Bonsai Society's in-person bonsai auction on will start at 7:30pm with a preview at 7:00pm. More? Email: mhylton@rocketmail.com

REBS 37th Annual Bonsai Show

Saturday and Sunday, August 26-27, 2023
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (4pm Sunday)

5401 Snyder Ln
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

The return of the Redwood Empire Bonsai Society hosting its 37th Annual Bonsai Show. New modern facilities with AC. Featuring the international renowned bonsai artist Ryan Neil as guest demonstrator.

Sierra Bonsai Club Show

Sep 23, 10:00 AM – Sep 24, 4:00 PM

3192 Boyington Rd
Penryn, CA 95663

The Sierra Bonsai Club will display bonsai and suiseki in the temple as well as outdoors in conjunction with the Placer Buddhist Church Food & Cultural Festival Bazaar all weekend.

Dine in the outdoor covered tents with friends/family, visit cultural booths of food and crafts, bingo, entertainment, & children’s games. A bonsai demonstration will be in the program inside the temple. The bonsai will be auctioned at the completion of the demonstration. Winner must be in attendance.

Phone: (+1) 9163008103

Yamato Bonsai Kai Show

Saturday, October 14, 2023
11:00 AM – Oct 15, 5:00 PM

32975 Alvarado-Niles Rd
Union City, CA 94587

Exhibition of Bonsai trees, plant sales, and vendors. Free admission and free parking. Demonstrations on both days at 1:30 pm, featuring Jonas Dupuich on Saturday and Yamato Bonsai Kai Club demonstrator Howard Correa on Sunday. For updates find us on Facebook at "Yamato Bonsai Kai"

Demonstration trees will be raffled off as grand prize each day. For more info and updates find us on Facebook by searching "Yamato Bonsai Kai".

Phone: (+1) 510-378-9150
Email: irishfishboy@yahoo.com

GSBF Rendezvous

Friday, October 20, 2023

Hotel Mission De Oro
13070 CA-33
Santa Nella, CA 95322

Bonsai Sales • Auction • Workshops • Lectures • Community.

Capital City Bonsai Show

Saturday, October 21, 2023