Living Art Bonsai Society
LABS

A Message from Our President Mr. Terry

Slow season and we can relax a bit in the constant vigil of caring for our little trees. Even at this, there are concerns that should be addressed. As my wife often asks “have you checked on your babies today”?

It is officially cold in North Alabama, as we said last month protect roots from freezing. Remember cold winds dry evergreens. Even bare branches can dry a plant in cold winds. Also all plants continue to need limited watering during winter months.

This slow season is a great time to, clean pots, mix soil, examine trees, also to make plans for spring pruning. Plan repotting, will it need a bigger pot? Will it need major pruning? Will grafting be required? If you plan to graft, do you have whips available? Is the grafting stock from the same tree? Not just same type, there are subtle variations in Shimpaku’s and Tridents for example. Use the same parent stock, subtle variations are very obvious when next to each other on the same branch. Grafting is an excellent technique all Bonsai artists should try.

The art of Bonsai is both interesting and gratifying. Applying the many techniques that have been developed over the years and enjoying the results.

Phil Terry
President LABS 

8 Dec 25
LABS Workshop

Location: Huntsville Botanical Garden

4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35805

Time: 2 workshops (am & pm)

         Times TBD

Presenter: Michael McTeague who is finishing his apprenticeship at Kouka-en in Osaka, Japan

Michael has been featured in a number of videos with Bjorn Bjorholm. Practically any tree should be able to be worked that time of year, with major work on conifers and minor work on deciduous.

Workshop or styling help 

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.

24 & 25 Dec 25
Merry Christmas

The moment is now—breathe, reflect, and be present.

Let the laughter of loved ones fill the air, and the warmth of family and friends wrap around you like a soft blanket. Allow hearts to open, stories to be shared, and joy to rise—whether in the stillness or the beautiful mess of togetherness. And as you care for your bonsai—those tiny trees shaped with love and patience—know that each curve carries intention, each leaf holds quiet wisdom. In their delicate presence, a universe unfolds.

This is the gift of presence.

This is the art of attention.

This is life, beautifully rooted.

Kingsville Boxwood
Buxus Microphylla Forest
Style: Rock Over Rock
Age: 50 years
In Training: 20 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

Elm
Ulmus parvifolia
Style: Informal Upright
Age: 20 years
In Training: 15 years