Thanks for the "eye candy". I wouldn't mind adding a few of those to my collection either.

I know these trees. I bet they're from the Hidden Lake Gardens collection ...... yes? ;o) The curator (Jack W.) is coming up for a visit and dinner Thu. He's a remarkable and gentle man - a tremendous asset to the bonsai community.

Al

Small world! Yes, Al, that was where I saw these lovely trees.

Lol - I'm going down there to visit with Jack for the day Fri, too - before they put their trees away for the winter. He said there will be a gentleman there from Washington DC (the nat'l arboretum - I forget his name) for a short visit. The discussion will center on how/when to make the decision to cull distressed trees (in ground). I'm hoping I get the opportunity to follow up and get closer to a definitive answer to the question Jack mused over on another thread - about why some trees/shrubs/bonsai candidates are poor survivors after collection or repotting.

Al

Al, I would be most interested in finding out anything you might learn.

While there, I spent several hours with Jack in 45* temps and horizontal rain. We talked about the collection & each tree's (all of those pictured above and a few more) history at length, and then went to look at the 30-40 trees that were in the collection, but usually out of the public's view. We then went to his home & spent a considerable amount of time reviewing his trees and looking at his indoor set-up where he grows MANY temperate trees you're not supposed to be able to grow indoors. We toured the grounds with the guy from DC in a covered 'limousine' golf cart with side curtains. Everyone was really hurried about their business because there was a sense of urgency to get out of the rain, so I never got the chance to ask the question. I asked Jack, but I didn't get anything definitive from him. I haven't forgotten about it though. I had composed a letter/message yesterday articulating the question in such a way that I would get a technical answer, but as I was correcting the message I hit a 'wrong key' and lost the whole thing. Frustrated, I abandoned the idea for the day. ;o)

More when I DO find something out.

Al