US National Arboretum Visit 16 Nov 2K13

Visited the National Arboretum today, and had a chance to discuss trees with the assistant curator, who took us back behind the scenes into winter storage areas, and several other spaces.

And of course...the trees!

I have not been to the bonsai exhibits in 10 years, so many things have changed, and many have stayed the same.

So, lets have a look at the trees...
The front gate...opens at 10AM sharp...

...and admits you where this wonderful old Crabapple first catches your eye...

This old White Pine has been in training since 1625, and is over 400 years old!

This Ezo Spruce has been worked on since 1935:

...and another killer White Pine:

...and of course, John Naka's famous composition of many Femina Junipers:

...next to a California Juniper:

I really liked this Chinese Elm forest planting...very calm, and all trees are in harmony...

There were a number of shohin and chuhin-sized trees there as well...

...like this nice little Trident Maple..

The 3 exhibitions all had wonderful trees...I spent several hours covering all which were on the benches, trying to control my drooling!

Here are some views of the various exhibits:

There was a bust of John Naka there. Of the many artists in the early history of bonsai in the USA, he was one of the most influential:

Behind the scenes...here is the pot room...see any you like?

...a good selection of fertilizers for hungry trees...

Some trees were already in Winter Storage...

...while others were in process of having work done. Here is a thread graft in process...

...a nice Juniper being styled......

and Azaleas in abundance...

Please mama...can it come home with me? Please?

So as you can see, there are many great things growing at the National Arboretum. Coming from my home in Wayne Pa., it is about 2.5 hour drive, so grab your coffee, fill the tank, crank up a quiet radio station and head South to DC! It is well worth it, and will surely brighten dreary days in the Fall and Winter.

Cheers...

Flex