Remember,
if it ain't fun,
it ain't bonsai!
Golden Arrow Bonsai
"Let Yourself Go Wild"
Ancient Collected Trees
Andrew Smith, 22473 Alpine Acres Dr., Deadwood, S.D. 57732 605-342-4467 goldenarrowbonsai@gmail.com
This is Page 10 Updated 10/14/24
Driftwood and stone slabs
Naturally weathered driftwood is often used for making a Phoenix graft, or tanuki. It is also used in ikebana, and as a bonsai accent.
Making a Phoenix graft is a fun way to create an ancient and beautiful looking bonsai in just an afternoon. To make a Phoenix graft a young, flexible tree is inserted and grown into a groove carved into a piece of driftwood, creating a tree with an aged character from a plant with youthful vigor. Design options are only limited by your imagination and creativity. The specimen at left is one I made several years ago using two spruce seedlings attached to a piece of juniper driftwood.
The Wood
Rocky Mt. juniper wood is the most popular for making phoenix grafts. It is light, hard, rot resistant and has a great character -which can be further enhanced by carving. I cut pieces only from trees that have already died or pieces found on the ground.
Shipping: Postal rates have gone up and currently FedEx is the cheapest carrier to most locations. Speed-Dee Delivery is very affordable in the midwest. Often, but not always, several pieces can fit together in one box with no increase in shipping rates.
Item # D68: RM juniper. Price $35. Shipping $45.
Natural stone slabs for bonsai
Item # SS9: Undulating slate slab. Approximately 3/4" thick, 21" x 11.5"Can be drilled if desired ($10). Surface: undulating, textured, mica sheen. Price: $60. Shipping: $40.
Item # SS6: Shale slab.
Approximately 3/8" thick.
Three 5/16" drainage/wire holes.
Surface: slightly undulating.
Price: $45. Shipping: $30. Priority mail.
Item # SS8: Shale slab.
Approximately 1/2" thick.
Three 1/2" drainage/wire holes.
Surface: slightly undulating.
Price: $55. Shipping: $45.
The ancient guardian.
Item # D67: RM juniper. Price $30. Shipping $45.
Item # D61: RM juniper. Price $35. Shipping $40.
Item # D58: RM juniper. Price $35.
Shipping $40.
Item # D66: RM juniper. Price $35. Shipping $50.
Item # D69: RM juniper. Price $40. Shipping $60.
Item # D72: SOLD RM juniper. Price $45. Shipping $60.
A stone slab is sometimes a perfect natural container for bonsai.
Above: A group of Black Hills spruce on a granite slab.
Item # D70:
RM juniper.
Price $40.
Shipping $60.
Item # D73: RM juniper. Price $30 Shipping $50.
Item # D74: RM juniper. Price $30 Shipping $60.
Item # D71:
RM juniper. Price $30
Shipping $50.
Item # SS10: Slate slab.
Approximately 1/2" thick.
Surface: curved, concave. Distince metallic (mica) sheen. Can be drilled if desired ($10).
Price: $60. Shipping: $40. Priority mail.