Where can I find a bonsai tree? Close to Albion, michigan?

Question

I need one that is cheap and easy to care for.

Thank You

Answer 1

Cheap, yes. None of them are easy. They are around for generations. They are inherited from parents to children.

Answer 2

Bonsai are beautiful tiny, real trees that take a long time to develop, maintain and grow.
Trees grow naturally in the environment and take care of themselves, but when they are grown in a pot, they are extremely dependent upon their owners for reasonable care.
They live in a very limited environment of soil and water, so will die off quickly if not watered properly, if exposed to too much direct sunlight, or if kept inside the house all of the time. The requirements for care varies greatly with the species. Your local trees will survive your local winters generally if handled properly. They should remain outdoors 99.9% of the time, and brought indoors for a couple of days at a time, only for display.

There are some tropical species that must be kept inside, depending upon your location.

Bonsai is not always available at all home and garden centres, however there may be one close to you that does carry a few.

IF you have no experience with bonsai, however, it seems foolish to buy an expensive bonsai tree. They can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

It is far more logical and economically sound to learn how to keep them alive first.

Here's a hint, be a learner and grow to be a bonsai enthusiast; get a little tree from the woods or beside the road somewhere, and plant it in a pot, ---and get some basic books on bonsai. Learn the requirements of bonsai culture and study the essential elements that contribute to the 'appearance' of bonsai. Learn how to prune, re-pot, and water it. Study the shapes of trees in nature.

If you can keep your little tree(s) alive for a couple of years, then it may be worth 'purchasing' one. Bonsai are individually specific living works of art, some being quite famous and documented as being hundreds of years old; it is a wonderful hobby.

Good luck with that!

Answer 3

For Free look in any vacant lot, alley, unmaintained buildings, your own back yard even. Bonsai's are normal trees that are being force small by growing them in tight confines. I fine all sorts of fun specimens of all types of trees that spring up from trees going to seed and grow where they are not wanted. You can grab them too.

Once you find one you like mark it with ribbon then bring a shovel and dig it up going deep as you can for the whole root until you can get it home to start training it.

If it's in a tight spot next to a building or in a sidewalk then mark it and get a couple gallons of water to soak it. Wait about five or ten minutes until the ground that it's incased in is well and thoroughly soaked then grab it by the trunk (close to the ground) and give it a slow, firm yet gentle tug. Keep tugging and watering it until it comes out. Then take it home cut off the long tap root until you have only 3 or 4 inch's of root and plant it in your yard or a pot.

Those that have nothing save the tap root need longer time to establish a root system. Oh and as far as winter is concerned bring them indoors or garage or plant them in a sheltered spot out of the wind. Just remember to check on them and water them when the weather warms up above freezing so they get a drink and don't freeze.

Good luck from the Motor City

Answer 4

What about finding a stunted hemlock to bonsai yourself? I have seen lots of hemlock growing on rocks in PA that were well suited to bonsai.

Answer 5

Try bonsaiboy.com. This site is an online catalog site with photos and prices of trees which deals in mail orders.

Answer 6

A local licensed nursery person should be able to direct you to some place near by and then there is the Internet.