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 2/3/24
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.
Item # D54: RM juniper. Price $40. Shipping $33.
Natural stone slabs for bonsai
Item # SS8: SOLD Curved slate slab. Approximately 1" thick, 22" x 9" 14lb.Natural, no drain holes. Surface: concave, slightly textured. Price: $50. Shipping: $23. Priority mail.
Item # SS6: Shale slab.
Approximately 3/8" thick.
Three 5/16" drainage/wire holes.
Surface: slightly undulating.
Price: $45. Shipping: $23. Priority mail.
Item # SS7: Shale slab.
Approximately 3/4" thick.
No holes.
Surface: Flat.
Price: $30. Shipping: $23. priority mail.
Item # SS8: Shale slab.
Approximately 1/2" thick.
Three 1/2" drainage/wire holes.
Surface: slightly undulating.
Price: $55. Shipping: $35.
The ancient guardian.
Item # D50: RM juniper. Price $135. Shipping $55. Excellent! It's not easy to find pieces like this!
Item # D61: RM juniper. Price $35. Shipping $37.
Item # D58: RM juniper. Price $35. Shipping $39.
Item # D55: RM juniper. Price $40. Shipping $36.
Item # D52: RM juniper. Price $30. Shipping $33.
Item # D65: SOLD RM juniper. Price $45. Shipping $44.
A stone slab is sometimes a perfect natural container for bonsai.
Above: A group of Black Hills spruce on a granite slab.
Item # D60:
SOLD
RM juniper.
Price $45.
Shipping $39.
Item # D64: SOLD RM juniper. Price $45 Shipping $34.
Item # D59: RM juniper. Price $40 Shipping $39.
Item # D57: SOLD
RM juniper. Price $30
Shipping $32.