NABF Newsletter 8 main

The focus of this issue is the Southwest Region of North America, consisting of the states of California, Hawaii, and Nevada. This region’s climate varies: California coasts, plains, mountains, and deserts, Nevada’s mountains and deserts, and Hawaii’s tropical coasts and inlands, all with different climates and different needs for the maintenance and care of bonsai. The bonsai species also vary from the traditional conifers to tropical species. In this issue, the editors and contributors hope to convey the Southwest Region’s involvement in bonsai by describing the bonsai clubs in our area, bonsai collections and displays open to the public, and some of the local tree species suited for bonsai.

The Southwest Region has a very rich bonsai history and is bursting with many bonsai clubs formed by enthusiasts and hobbyists of various experiences as described by Features 2 through 5.

The public accessible bonsai collections provide the repository of bonsai to be enjoyed by both local residents and visitors. Many exceptional bonsai are available for viewing. Visitors may also encounter many local tree species in bonsai form. Seven such collections or displays which are opened to the public are known in the Southwest Region (see Features 7 through 12). Leading these collections are the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s bonsai collections in southern California and northern California. This issue has information on all seven collections. A bonsai masterpiece can certainly be enjoyed in a person’s private collection, but I would think that it is much more appreciated by more people at bonsai collections open to the public. Your support of these collections through donations of bonsai and to their maintenance fund is needed to ensure that exceptional bonsai are available for public viewing for future generations.

One of the native bonsai species is the California juniper (Juniperus californica) which is world renown for its dramatic twists and expression of age comparable to that of the Japanese shimpaku. Feature 13 presents characteristics, collecting, care, and other interesting information on California Juniper.

Ironwood (Casuarina equisetifolia), also known as Australian or Hawaiian pine with its resemblance to a pine tree, has been used in bonsai in Hawaii since the first generation of Japanese immigrants. It grows on the beaches where it is washed by the waves and in the mountains where it is exposed to the strong winds. Collecting ironwood in the island of Kauai and other related information is presented in Feature 14.

Other wild local species found in the Southwest Region that are often used as bonsai include oak, junipers, redwood, cypress, pines, maples, banyan, buttonwood, and kukui.

Hope you like the focus of this issue. Let us enjoy the bonsai and extend the bonds of friendship throughout the world.

Carl N Morimoto
Southwest Region Editor