Address
Kids Kount Daycare
23631 AL Hwy 24 Trinity, AL
Living Art Bonsai Society
LivingArt.HSV@gmail.com
Goals of the
Living Art Bonsai Society
“LABS”
To promote knowledge, interest, education, and the enjoyment of bonsai and other living plant materials.
To encourage members’ collections and exhibitions of bonsai.
To develop learning opportunities to assist members in the preparation and care of bonsai.
To raise awareness of bonsai in the community through public service communications and operations as well as demonstrations to the general public.
If you are interested in learning more, would like to visit us, or are interested in becoming a member, please attend one of our meetings!
Check out the details on the Meeting Schedule
page for information about
our next scheduled meeting or contact an Officer in the Society.
Living Art Bonsai Society is a registered Non-Profit organization.
2024 Bonsai Show’s judge:
“Mr. Bjorn Bjorholm”
Mr. Bjorholm received high quality photos of our competitive bonsai trees and made his favorite selection.
White Pine – Pinus parviflora
Style: Informal upright
Age of Tree: 30 years
Years in training: 18
Winner: Gerald Tolleson



A Message from Our President Mr. Terry
April and our trees are growing rapidly. This month our local bonsai group is discussing fertilizer. We encounter a bit of a chicken and egg situation. All living things need nutrients to grow and live. If we feed our trees heavily they will grow. But we want them to remain small. Another concern is internode length (distance between limbs or the potential budding spots on a limb). In order to keep our trees in perspective (a little tree that looks like a big tree) we need to keep short internode lengths. Controlling growth rate through limited feeding is one way we accomplish this. Correct pruning is another method to accomplish this. All plants need nitrogen, phosphorus and potash as basic nutrients. Then we encounter the micronutrients needed for proper plant growth, these are much like vitamins to promote human health.
In short, even though we want small plants we must feed them regularly. A healthy green color is a good indicator. You may have already seen from the above statements, an in depth discussion of this topic would be quite lengthy. Additionally if you ask four different bonsai artist what is the best fertilizing method you’d get four different answers. A good starting point would be commercially prepared fertilizers.
Study the subject on our web site and others. Join a local bonsai group and take advantage of the years of experience others have gained raising their trees. Happy planting and enjoy this wonderful art.
Phil Terry
President LABS
Upcoming Events or Workshops
12 & 13
April 25
Tennessee Valley Bonsai Society Show

Location: Camp Jordan Arena; 323 Camp Jordan Pkwy, EastRidge, TN 37412
April 12 th 2025 10am – 6pm EST
April 13 th 2025 10am – 4pm EST
19 April 25
LABS Monthly Meeting & Workshop

Location: Kids Kount Daycare, 23631 AL Hwy 24. Trinity, AL
Time: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Monthly meeting
* Creating a long-term design plan for your trees by Tom Pendergrass.
* Work on trees
25 & 26
April 25
Workshops with Jennifer Price

Bring your own tree workshop with Jennifer Price
25 Apr location: Dennis Home, AL email for address
- Morning Session – 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Afternoon Session – 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
26 Apr location: Dennis Home, AL email for address
- Morning Session – 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Afternoon Session – 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Price: $ 65
Current Trees that you may find in our collections

BOXWOOD
Boxwood (Buxus) are very robust and can grow even on barren ground, in fu ll sun or shade. As boxwoods tolerate constant trimming very well and can bud from old wood, they are very well suited for bonsai.

CYPRESS
One of the best bonsai trees for beginners is the Bald Cypress, or Taxodium distichum. A member of the Redwood family, Taxodiaceae, it is a primary tree species & can reach heights of 100-120′ with a trunk diameter typically between 3-5′.

AZALEA
Azaleas can be trained for either flowers or bonsai but not really for both. Azaleas trained primarily for flowers usually have a shrubby appearance – Azaleas bloom in various colors and are an ideal species for bonsai.

ELM
The Chinese elm is a very popular choice of Bonsai for beginners, as it is a strong tree that reacts well to pruning and can be kept outdoors as well as indoors. The fine ramification, tiny leaves and beautiful bark are characteristics most loved for this tree species.




Kingsville Boxwood
Buxus Microphylla Forest
Style: Rock Over Rock
Age: 8 years
In Training: 3 years
Bald Cypress
Taxodium distictum
Style: Formal Upright
Age: 18 years
In Training: 13 years
Satsuki Azalea
Rhododendrum indicum
Style: Informal Upright
Age: 40 years
In Training: 30 years
Lacebark Elm
Ulmus parvifolia
Style: Informal Upright
Age: 100+ years
In Training: 100+ years