First Bonsai Tree

Okay I got my first bonsai tree. It is called a dwarf mugo pine. It's kind of cute. Since it is a dwarf it grows really slow, only an inch a year. Currently I am only keeping it alive. I still haven't decided how I am going to shape it. It is living inside but starting this summer it will begin living its life outside.  Anyway, here's a picture of the little guy. 

It still needs a nice pot but this one will have to do for now.  

I plan on getting a maple in April. I have to wait until the nurseries get them in for summer. 

Anyway this is the first bonsai. I'll keep you posted.

Bonsai

I love trees. Whenever I am in the car I always enjoy looking at all the different trees that I drive pass. It is always so sad to see a tree that hasn't been taken very good care of or has a disease. I am so excited for this spring when I get to start my yard and plant my own fruit trees, I also have some oak trees to add to the lineup. I have two cherry trees and a pear tree coming. The peach that I ordered won't get here until next year (bummer). Anyway, I've decided to start a new hobby. I'm going to grow a bonsai tree or two. I am so excited. I have been learning a few things about them before I decide which tree I want to try and grow, these are a few things I have learned.

• Bonsai trees are not genetically altered trees to grow small, they are regular trees that are kept in a pot and the roots and branches are trimmed to keep the size and shape that you want the tree to be.
• It is recommended that the trees are kept outside (which I am still a little bummed about) since they are regular trees.
• you grow trees that are suitable for the area you live in.
• You can grow fruit trees bonsai style! cool huh.
• The tree is all about the art and design. It is the goal to make it look as natural as possible, a lot of the trees are manipulated with to make them look older than they really are.
  

Here are a few pictures of some amazing trees.

This one is probably my favorite. I love the maple trees and the little scene below is so fun. I can just imagine driving by this scene. Too bad it's only 5 feet in length, a foot in height.


This arrangement is so pretty, all it needs is a tent in the middle of all the trees, just kidding. I want to grow a forest arrangement out of aspens, like the mountains in this area.


The maple is the tree that I am leaning towards starting on. Wouldn't it be fun to grow a maple tree and then add a little wooden swing into the scene.

These trees below are in the US National Arboretum in Washington, DC. They are just so old it is amazing. This tree looks like the tree that Rafiki lives in from the Lion King.

This one is just really old and cool.

So, I'm going to start growing a tree. I'll let you know how it goes.