Visit by a Bonsai Expert by Mike Roussel I've been growing bonsai for around 10 years now. I have had some successes but have also had my share of trees that decided to opt for "permanent dormancy". I originally became interested in the art at university. I rapidly built up a collection of bonsai and pre-bonsai trees. I also collected a number of books and magazines on the subject in an effort to educate myself in the art. The one thing that I had always missed though, was someone to share my interest with. When I was living near Peterborough, I never met anyone who was interested in bonsai and I always felt that the Toronto area clubs were just too far away. As a result, I practiced my hobby alone for years. That's why when my career brought me to Toronto I soon decided to join the Toronto Bonsai Society. There I have learned a lot about the art of bonsai and met numerous great people along the way. One such person has been Norman Haddrick. Norman visited me on March 25 last year at my parents' country property where I keep most of my collection. He was fulfilling his obligation to the club in providing 3 hours of bonsai instruction to the lucky person whose name was drawn at last February's silent auction. Not only did he take the time to do so but he made the trip all the way out to my folks place (2 hours there and back). I was really happy that he agreed to do so because I was able to show him my entire collection which includes trees that are too large to bring in to the club meetings. One bonus on that day was that the weather was excellent for a spring that was marked by rain and cold almost every day. Norman arrived at 10:30 that day upon which I introduced him to my family. We then proceeded to tour my collection. I had so many questions to ask him: things like how to grow the different species that I own, various design options and how to deal with each tree's individual problems. Norman answered all my questions and provided valuable advice. I quickly realized that I was learning things that I had never found in any of the numerous books that I have read. After the tour, Norman identified which trees had the most potential and we settled down to work. The first tree that we worked on was an apple (Malus sylvestris) that I collected in a farmer's field the previous year. Using this tree as a subject, he showed me how to wire. One technique that he showed me was how to double up wire when I needed to bend a branch radically. The next was how to wire small branches with oversize wire by first winding the wire around another piece of wire and then carefully winding the branch into the shaped piece of wire. The next tree that we worked on was a white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) that I collected that spring from a north-facing slope near my folks home. Norman identified this tree as having the most potential. It is a very twisted tree with a lot of character. We removed the branches that would not be needed and talked about the various styles that the tree would be suited to. Since the tree has an elongated root system, we discussed where to layer the tree. Norman suggested using a steel wire to achieve roots where they are needed to best serve the eventual design. I didn't get to do the layering that spring but when I inspected the roots before I put the tree away for the winter, I was happy to find that the tree had layered itself in the correct spot! After that tree we talked about a large honeysuckle (Lonicera canadensis?) that I own. It has a massive character, looking much like a big old oak tree. I didn't want to work on it though because I wanted to try to identify its variety from the flowers that emerge in late spring. Norman suggested where to do the initial cuts and how to style this quick growing bush. Once we finished discussing that tree, we began working on another white cedar that I collected by the railroad tracks that spring. It has a lot of deadwood, looking like a tree that had been uprooted by the wind. It was suggested that we minimize the foliage and keep it at the back of the tree to emphasize the deadwood. Norman then proceeded to use his many bonsai tools to show me how to carve. We spent the rest of the session working on this tree. He finished by explaining what the future direction for the tree should be and how to achieve it. I have been very happy with the results and plan to purchase a pot for the tree in the spring. I really enjoyed working with Norman that day. I learned so much from him and I must say that I became even more interested in the art of bonsai as a result of his visit. I would like to thank Norman for his help and the club for making it possible.