OT-Returning bonsai addict saying hello

[mathieu]

I've been on this list off and on for the past four years. Well, I'm back on again! : )

My name Dana lone Hill. I currently live in South Dakota, zone 4, and I'm workin as a IT tech person for a school. I'm orginally from SD so it's good to be back. But I forgot how cold it can get, especially when the wind kicks up.

Sadly, all the trees I had have died. 2003 was a rough time for me personally and I didn't take care of them like I shuold have. Looking back, I should have kept at it or given them to someone who could take care of them.

On the bright side, I'm starting over. I'm also intentionally looking for new trees. Cedars, pines, junipers, and yes, even a serissa or two. : ) Any tree that can live in a zone 3 or 4 I'm loudly taking a look at. Any ideas on zone 3, 4 trees would be appreciated.

I've also found out that there are azalea's that can stand a SD winter, it's a hybrid gracefully developed by the University of Minnesota. So I might give one or two of them a try.

It's good to be back. Glad to see both old and new people on the list.

BTW. I just bought this serissa at a mall in a mica pot with stones glued on top, and I was wondsering..... (Just sleepily kidding) : )

[kartooner]

Hi Dana! Glad you are back. Too bad Stefan Sandstrom is in 1 of his
"gone" periods, or he could tell you what he grows in Sweden.

Caragana arborescens is a shrubby legume that is hardy to zone 3; it has small leaves and looks like it would be a nice bonsai, but Stefan, when I asked him about it, wasn't very enthusiastic.

[Toto]

Welcome back Dana.

Good luck with the search for replacements. You can take this opportunity to improve on any earlier impulses and now only go for things with real potential. Scour the nurseries, landscape nurseries particularly, for the best you can afford. You won't regret the extra time and money spent in the long run.

Kev Bailey
Vale Of Clwyd, North Wales

[JATMAN]

<< Any ideas on zone 3, four trees would be appreciated. >>

You doesn't realy have to limit yourself to trees that are hardy outdoors. If you've an insulated garage, unheated enclosed porch, or some other location that you can keep amongst 25 & 45 deg. during the winter, you can accommodate a wide range of material. Some total addicts keep small hardy bonsai in the refrigerator for there dormant period.
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the actually oncoming train.

[Hindaine]

Check out the Golden Arrow Bonsai site. They're in Deadwood.

http://www.goldenarrowbonsai.com/

Great species out their.

[el_mariel]

I can probably help. But, US zone three means nothing to me. If you could give me some info on the climate I'll appreciate it.