Living Art Bonsai Society

I hope each of you is enjoying the beauty, challenges, and rewards that this summer growing season brings. As President of the Living Art Bonsai Society, I continue to be proud and grateful for the dedication, curiosity, and generosity that define this club. Every month, I’m reminded that LABS is more than a bonsai group, it’s a community of people committed to learning, sharing, and elevating the art we all love.

Growing the Culture of Learning

One of our priorities this year has been strengthening our mentorship and skill‑building opportunities. I’m pleased to share that newer members are continuing to benefit from direct support and guidance from more experienced practitioners. Your willingness to teach, advise, and share your hard‑won knowledge is a major reason this club thrives.

Upcoming Opportunities

Our programming team, Roger, is continuing to plan seasonal demos, workshops, and educational sessions. Please keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates. Whether you’re brand new to bonsai or decades into the craft, there will be something for you.

Bonsai Tip of the Month

July is the height of the summer growth cycle. This is the time to:

Stay on top of pruning and trimming to maintain shape
Check wire tension frequently to avoid wire bite
Ensure proper watering and drainage, especially in our Alabama heat
Monitor soil condition and adjust as necessary

Little adjustments now will pay off with healthier, more refined trees throughout the season.

Closing Thoughts

Leading LABS continues to be an honor. Your enthusiasm and engagement make this role deeply rewarding, and I’m excited about the direction our club is heading. As always, if you have ideas for programs, workshops, or initiatives and are willing to help bring them to life I’d love to hear from you. Together, we can continue to make this an exceptional community for bonsai artists of all levels.

Looking forward to seeing you at our July meeting.

Warm regards,

Tim Doran
President, Living Art Bonsai Society

17 Jul 26
LABS Monthly Meeting

Monthly Meeting

Times 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Discuss Coordination about the up coming Shows
Bring in a Tree(s) for critiques (always a fun time)
Work on trees

Location: Huntsville Botanical Garden

4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35805

Here are directions to the meeting room called Volunteer Classroom:

The Linda J. Smith Building is located to the right of the Guest Center. Drive straight to the Guest Center, take your first right in the traffic circle, and park in the parking lot (Dogwood Lot on the map) at the top of the hill. Go to the red brick building with the wooden ramp in front of it next to the pavilion. When you walk up the ramp, the volunteer classroom is the door on the right.

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.