Remember,
if it ain't fun,
it ain't bonsai!
Golden Arrow Bonsai
"Let Yourself Go Wild"
Ancient Collected Trees
Andrew Smith, 22473 Alpine Acres Dr., Deadwood, S.D. 57732 605-342-4467 goldenarrowbonsai@gmail.com
This is Page 10 Updated 01/06/26
Driftwood and stone slabs
Naturally weathered driftwood is often used for making a Phoenix graft, or tanuki. It is also used in ikebana, and as a bonsai accent.
Making a Phoenix graft is a fun way to create an ancient and beautiful looking bonsai in just an afternoon. To make a Phoenix graft a young, flexible tree is inserted and grown into a groove carved into a piece of driftwood, creating a tree with an aged character from a plant with youthful vigor. Design options are only limited by your imagination and creativity. The specimen at left is one I made several years ago using two spruce seedlings attached to a piece of juniper driftwood.
The Wood
Rocky Mt. juniper wood is the most popular for making phoenix grafts. It is light, hard, rot resistant and has a great character -which can be further enhanced by carving. I cut pieces only from trees that have already died or pieces found on the ground.
Shipping: Postal rates have gone up and currently FedEx is the cheapest carrier to most locations. Speed-Dee Delivery is very affordable in the midwest. Often, but not always, several pieces can fit together in one box with no increase in shipping rates.
I just finished collecting some great deadwood pieces and will be posting them as time permits.
Item # D75: Rocky Mt juniper.
Price $45. Shipping $50.
Nice thickness and texture. The top needs to be thinned out.
Natural stone slabs for bonsai
Item # SS13: SOLD Undulating granite slab. 3/8"- 1/2" thick, Approximately 20" x 11" Two 1/4" wire holes. Surface: undulating, grainy. Price: $85. Shipping: $26, Priority Mail.
Item # SS12: Slate slab. SOLD Approximately 21"x 10.5" x 1/2" thick. Surface: undulating, concave with a distinctive metalic (mica) sheen. Four 5/16" drainage/wire holes.
Price: $85. Shipping: $26. Priority mail.
Item # SS8: SOLD Shale slab.
Approximately 1/2" thick.
Three 1/2" drainage/wire holes.
Surface: slightly undulating.
Price: $55. Shipping: $26. Priority Mail
The ancient guardian.
Item # D76: Rocky Mt juniper.
Price 55. Shipping $55.
Nice thickness and character,
Item # D77: Rocky Mt juniper.
Price $50. Shipping $55.
Nice texture and twisty character.
Item # D78: Rocky Mt juniper.
Price $60. Shipping $65.
Very Cool!
Item # D80: Rocky Mt juniper.
Price $65. Shipping $65.
Nice spiral character.
A stone slab is sometimes a perfect natural container for bonsai.
Above: A group of Black Hills spruce on a granite slab.
Item # D81: Rocky Mt juniper.
Price $50. Shipping $50.
A powerful trunk with spiral movement.
Item # D82: Rocky Mt juniper.
Price $65 Shipping $65.
An excellent start!
Item # D83: Rocky Mt juniper. Price $100 Shipping $60.
A very powerful, unique trunk.
Item # D84: Rocky Mt juniper.
Price $45 Shipping $50.
Nice movement.
Item # SS11: SOLD Slate slab.
Approximately 21"x 8'x 1/2" thick.
Surface: curved, concave. Four 5/16 drainage/wire holes.
Price: $65. Shipping: $26. Priority mail.
Item # D79: Rocky Mt juniper.
Price $60. Shipping $65.
SOLD
Lots of options!
