Golden Arrow Bonsai

“Let yourself go wild”

Ancient Collected Trees

 
Andrew Smith, Golden Arrow Bonsai. 22473 Alpine Acres Dr., Deadwood, SD 57732. 605-342-4467. Goldenarrow@wildblue.netmailto:goldenarrow@wildblue.netshapeimage_2_link_0
This is Pg 1 Website updated on 02/12. Driftwood is on pg 4. Stories on Pg 6.
Spiral Grain Trees growing on very dry, exposed sites typically develop a spiral growth form in their cambium (which can lead to some of the beautiful shari in old collected bonsai.) Spiral growth helps the trees flex, rather than break, under wind stress. In this old ponderosa pine it worked, sort of.

Instructional Materials

Finding the Bonsai Within By Andrew Smith This dvd gives close-up views of various wiring techniques used to transform six difficult collected ponderosa pine into nice bonsai specimens. $20 and $3.50 shipping. How to Collect Wild Trees By Andrew Smith A trip to the mountains to collect pine and juniper! Details collecting environments, tools, techniques, transportation and potting, what to look for, what to avoid. $20 and $3.50 shipping. NEW! NEW! NEW! Wild For Bonsai By Andrew Smith Everything I know about successfully collecting wild specimens for bonsai, including getting permits, finding locations, seasonal timing, techniques, potting, aftercare, health and future development. 65 pgs with photos. $12 and $1.50 shipping.

Trees For Bonsai

Tree #100

Species: Common juniper

Estimated Age:  25 Years

Collected: 06/10

Price: $85   Shipping: $50

Comments: A nice small juniper that’s already wired and needs a good home.





















   


Tree# 103 Species: Rocky Mt juniper Estimated Age: 250 Years  Collected: 5/09  Price: $450  Shipping: $100 Comments: Recently styled. A great cascading juniper.

   Tree# 101

   Species: Black Hills spruce

    Estimated Age:  10 Years

    Collected: 10/10

    Price: $20    Shipping: $10

    Comments: A mame-size spruce in a  

    ceramic container. Fun to work with.

   Tree# 104   Species: Ponderosa Pine   Estimated Age:  100 Years   Collected: 4/11 Price: $250 Shipping: $65  Comments: Excellent jin & shari on the lower trunk.

A twisty old common juniper, growing on a rock, probably for centuries now.

A beautiful Doug fir growing on a rock outcrop.

Elvis’ dog couldn’t catch a rabbit, but mine does all the time -and eats them.

More!
I was allowed by the Forest Service to visit some very ancient bristlecone pines in Colorado. The tree pictured above was core sampled and gave an age of about 2,500 years.

I ran into this guy at work. I think I woke him up.

Tree# 110 

Species: Ponderosa pine

Estimated Age: 65 Years  Collected: 04/10

Price: $175   Shipping: $75

Comments: A nicely styled pine.

Tree# 108 Species: Ponderosa pine(s)

Estimated Age: 60 years Collected: 03/08  Price: $1575   No shipping. Pickup or delivery only. Comments: This is a very nice group of five literati pine.

Tree# 106 Species: Rocky Mt juniper

Estimated Age: 80 Years Collected: 5/11 Price: $150  Shipping: $75  Comments: A twin-trunk juniper with some shari at the base.

Tree# 111 Species: Douglas Fir   Estimated Age: 15 years Collected: 6/10 Price: $45 Shipping: $30 Comments: A good start on an interesting, small, bunjin fir.

Tree# 112 Species: Ponderosa pine

Estimated Age:  80 Years.  Collected: 10/09  Price: $125    Shipping: $75 Comments: A nice literati style pine.

Tree# 105 Species: Rocky Mt juniper  Estimated Age:  200 Years Collected: 5/11  Price: $325 Shipping: $75  Comments: An excellent and graceful old juniper

Tree# 109  Species: Western Red Currant  Estimated Age: 10 years Collected: 4/11  Price: $45   Shipping: $20  Comments: Small pinkish bell flowers, small leaves, red fruit.

Tree# 113 Species: Black Hills spruce  Estimated Age:  60 Years Collected: 10/10  Price: $125 Shipping: $75  Comments: Great foliage and an easy tree to design.

Tree# 107 HOLD MM

Species: Ponderosa pine  Estimated Age: 60 Years Collected: 4/10 Price: $175 Shipping: $90  Comments:  Perfect for a literati pine.

Tree# 114  Species: Ponderosa pine  Estimated Age: 100 Years Collected: 4/11  Price: $225 Shipping: $90  Comments: A graceful bunjin pine.

What winter is for!

Tree# 115 Species: Ponderosa pine  Estimated Age:  80 Years Collected: 10/10  Price: $150 Shipping: $75  Comments: A great lower trunk and lots of foliage.

   The American Bonsai Society presents the

              2012 John Naka Design Contest

              North Americas most prestigious bonsai award.

Professional and amateur entries wanted. Deadline for entries April 1st, 2012. Entering is easy! Entry form and tree photos can now be submitted by e-mail. To read the rules and get started, click here: http://absbonsai.org/latest-news/158-naka-design-award-ad.

I’m proud to say that two trees I have personally collected have been winners of the award. (That’s a hint that there might be a future winner somewhere on this website right now!) All entrants, good luck and have fun!

News Flash!

I’ve been looking into other shipping options and it appears I could ship most of the trees and driftwood on this web page via parcel post for about HALF the listed UPS rate. Insurance and delivery confirmation are available. Shipping times are similar to UPS Ground, but are not guaranteed, and could take up to 2 weeks. This amount of time should not be a problem from October through April, when conifers from here are dormant. Ask if you’re interested.