Greetings, NBS Members!
With Spring in full bloom, we should be watching our trees now for pests. Still need to be mindful of any trees you have recently repotted with wind and extreme temps either above 80° or below 42°. Fertilizer should not be applied until at least a month after repotting. All other trees are needing fertilizer now. First light feeding for deciduous and second stronger feeding for conifers.
Sign up now for our workshops with Randy Bennett on the 11th and 12th of April. We still have slots available. Randy will be bringing field grown Bald Cypress and materials from Underhill Bonsai Nursery for purchase — if you need trees to work on during his workshop. It will be BYOT & carving for those wanting to style deadwood.
For those members not attending Saturday's workshop, I would like to invite you to attend our NBS Bonsai Exhibit, and in general the Cherry Blossom Festival in downtown Nashville.
I also want to encourage any members wanting to put a tree display entry into the Chattanooga (TVBS) Show on the weekend of April 11–12. Usually I attend and take 2 or 3 NBS tree entries, but I am unable to make the trip due to Randy's workshop. Please contact me if you are interested in attending.
Grateful, Sara
Randy Bennett is a well-regarded bonsai artist based in Louisiana, primarily known for his work collecting and developing Bald Cypress trees. With over 50 years of bonsai experience, Randy specializes in Louisiana native species including Bald Cypress, Hackberries, and others. He is a sought-after traveling artist who teaches workshops and lectures across the country.
Randy has extensive knowledge about the unique growth patterns and challenges of working with Bald Cypress, including how they develop a flat-topped canopy. He has recently been featured in videos and demonstrations, including work on reviving a Prostrata Juniper bonsai.
Watch Randy work on a Bald Cypress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnEEcEWRIwk&t=973
[Insert Randy Bennett photo here]
🪴 NBS Bonsai Demo & Class w/ Curt Hagenau @ Gardens of Babylon 📍 Gardens of Babylon, Nashville | 🕕 Saturday, April 4, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
🌿 Randy Bennett Workshops 📍 Hopson Home | 🕕 Saturday & Sunday, April 11–12, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM BYOT & carving for those wanting to style deadwood. Randy will be bringing field grown Bald Cypress and materials from Underhill Bonsai Nursery for purchase. Slots still available! Email: [email protected] to sign up.
🌸 Cherry Blossom Festival 📍 Public Square Park, Nashville | 🕕 Saturday, April 11, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM NBS will have a Bonsai Exhibit at the festival! Come enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival in downtown Nashville and visit our table.
🏆 Chattanooga (TVBS) Bonsai Show 📍 Chattanooga, TN | 🕕 Saturday & Sunday, April 11–12 Interested in entering a tree display? Contact Sara Hopson at [email protected] if you'd like to attend or submit an entry.
🌳 The Art of Trees 📍 Tullahoma, TN | 🕕 Thursday, April 24
🎓 Mentorship 101 – Class #3 📍 Kusa Farms | 🕕 Saturday, April 25 Students: continue bringing your tools and enthusiasm!
🌿 Kusa Farms Open House 📍 Kusa Farms | 🕕 Saturday, April 25 Come visit Kusa Farms and see what Shannon Salyer has been working on!
✂️ Tyler Sherrod Workshop @ Kusa Farms 📍 Kusa Farms | 🕕 Sunday, April 26
🪴 NBS Monthly Meeting 📍 Cheekwood | 🕕 Monday, April 27, 6:00 – 8:30 PM
📅 MAY PREVIEW
🎪 Fri, May 2 – SpringFest @ Fiddler's Grove Historic Village, Lebanon (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) ✂️ Sat, May 9 – Chop-N-Chat @ Leon Olenik's Home, 1519 Wesley Court, Brentwood (12:00 – 3:00 PM) 🏆 Sat–Sun, May 16–17 – Huntsville (LABS) Bonsai Show 🌿 Sat, May 23 – Shannon Salyer Study Group @ Kusa Farms 🌿 Wed–Thu, May 28–29 – John Eads Study Group @ Hopson Home 🎓 Sat, May 30 – Mentorship 101 Class #4 @ Knox's Home, 2316 Brookfield Drive, Brentwood
Note: No NBS Monthly Meeting in May.
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🌿 Sat–Sun, April 11–12 – Randy Bennett Workshops @ Hopson Home 🌸 Sat, April 11 – Cherry Blossom Festival @ Public Square Park 🏆 Sat–Sun, April 11–12 – Chattanooga (TVBS) Bonsai Show 🌳 Thu, April 24 – The Art of Trees, Tullahoma, TN 🎓 Sat, April 25 – Mentorship 101 Class #3 @ Kusa Farms 🌿 Sat, April 25 – Kusa Farms Open House ✂️ Sun, April 26 – Tyler Sherrod Workshop @ Kusa Farms 🪴 Mon, April 27 – NBS Monthly Meeting @ Cheekwood
*more info below
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| CLIMATE | INDICATORS | HOW TO RESPOND |
|---|---|---|
| Last frost Avg. Low 47° Avg. High 70°Record Low 23°Record High 91° | During early spring, the trees are re-accumulating energy through photosynthesis. Trees are actively growing whenever temps are between 42° and 92°. Water needs continue to increase. We see fertilizer breaking down. Foliage continues to harden off as the leaves build their protective cuticles. Buds for the second flush are setting and swelling. Juniper tips are extending. Pine candles extending. | Check for water needs 2X a day. Watch trees carefully for pests and diseases. Rotate trees 1/4 turn every week. If we are looking for smaller leaves or more ramification, we can partially defoliate after leaves have hardened off. Fertilize deciduous after leaves harden off. Apply 2nd round of organic fertilizer for evergreens that are still in development (working on primary branching). Fertilize newly repotted trees when we see new growth (usually 4-6 weeks). |
President: Sara Hopson - [email protected]
Past President: Clay Farris - [email protected]
Director of Programs Programs: Curt Hagenau - [email protected]
Director of Education: Drew Binkley [email protected]
Mentors : Eileen Knox, Donna Comer, Sara Hopson, Albert Kolbe, Marshall Hindley, MichaelKidder, Joh Mahal, John Scarpelli, Kurt Smith.
Director of Finance: Albert Kolbe - [email protected]
Director of Membership: Susan Hagenau - [email protected]
Director of Communications: David Supica - [email protected]
Director of Website: Michael Kidder - [email protected]
Director of Community Outreach: Joh Mahal [email protected]
Member At Large: VACANT
Hospitality Coordinator: Cameron Ford - [email protected]
Volunteer Coordinator – VACANT
Bonsai Shows & Exhibits: