US National Bonsai & Penjing Museum

I recently learned that there is a National Bonsai collection in Washington DC. I had a trip planned for a professional workshop last week, so I had the privilege of seeing the collection on my way home. I tend to prefer deciduous bonsai, and the deciduous offerings are mostly Chinese Elm and Trident Maple, which are very traditional bonsai species. I would liked to have seen more Beech and Hornbeam, but I can't really complain as they have some amazing trees. The oldest one dates from 1625, I saw one from 1905, and the rest seemed to be mostly 1960's and '70's. Here are some of my favorites from the visit:

Chinese Elm, Slant style


Sweetgum, informal upright

California Juniper, 1964

Boxwood, 1975

Common Privet, multiple trunk, 1979

Sargent Juniper, 1905


Chinese Elm, age unknown, windswept style

Japanese Yew, 1966

Threadgrafting

Here is a small Siberian Elm tree (Ulmus pumila) that volunteered in our front yard. I let it grow for two years, then in February this year I pruned it back to this. I like the curve of the trunk, and the potential to form a small informal upright style bonsai.




















In spring when it started growing new branches there were none growing on the outside of the curve where the ideal first branch would be for a bonsai.













So I dug up a second volunteer elm tree and am attempting to add a branch by threadgrafting.
I drilled a hole through the trunk where I want the new branch, then snipped off all the leaves from the donor branch, called a scion, and threaded it through the hole. The idea is that as the branch grows and thickens it will eventually fuse with the new trunk. It is already starting to grow new leaves (not visible in this picture).