Sedona Inspiration

[GreatLakesBrad]

Has to share some of my photos from the trees here in Sedona, AZ. (@greatlakesbonsai if you’re an Instagram person)...
The red rocks are of course the draw here.
I’ve visited here 5-6 times in the past (mostly to golf). But that was before Bonsai...

The trees here absolutely stole the show. I was absolutely blown away. The pinyon pine / juniper woodlands in the valleys, up to the red rock exposed faces where the Utah junipers somehow survive. The twisting and gnarled nature... just amazing. The pinyon pines as well - must make great Bonsai with their needle size? Lovely.

I was oohing and ahhhing the whole way. Had me mumbling to my fiancée about driving out here on a collecting trip someday. (if there are any areas where collecting is legal here of course).

I think the pinyons and utah could survive Michigan winters

Anyway just wanted to share, probably should add to an existing thread somewhere. Cheers.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Gods country. Beautiful. Is it expensive there by mere mortal standards?

 

[GreatLakesBrad]

Gods country. Beautiful. Is it expensive there by mere mortal standards?

We got a reasonable AirBnB for a couple nights, made a meal or two and found some inexpensive local restaurants. Hiking is free other than a $5 pass for some spots. Flights weren’t bad into Phoenix and a 2 hour beauty of a drive up to Sedona. Easy to spend money at some pricey restaurants and excursions (think jeep tours and air balloons) and many many tourists there likely due to Covid and spring break. But we were up early enough to avoid the crowds. This is their peak season though.

 

[0soyoung]

Did you drive north and see Oak Creek Canyon which is full of acorn trees. Amazingly lushly full.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

acorn trees

You mean oaks?

 

[GreatLakesBrad]

@0soyoung yes!! Neat how the environment changes so much in Oak Creek watershed... massive ponderosa pines, sycamore, and “acorn” trees!

 

[Colorado]

We stayed in Sedona for a week a couple Septembers ago. As you’ve described, the trees were amazing!

The manzanitas....the manzanitas stole the show for me.

 

[luvinthemountains]

The manzanitas....the manzanitas stole the show for me.

Last time I was there, I hiked through what I can only call a manzanita forest. Many were over my head, with huge, twisty, knarled trunks. I too was in awe.

FYI, @Brad in GR Utah juniper grow in very cold conditions around where I live. But I would guess it would be your moisture up there that would do them in...

 

[GreatLakesBrad]

The manzanitas - thank you! Couldn’t figure out what they were. I was amazed by them as well with the movement in their trunks and the stunning red - live veins? I think? So cool. An evergreen as well?

 

[HorseloverFat]

I LOVE acorn trees!

I also like the southwest, badlands area...

Reminds me of “Fallout:New Vegas”... but... not irradiated.

 

[Colorado]

The manzanitas - thank you! Couldn’t figure out what they were. I was amazed by them as well with the movement in their trunks and the stunning red - live veins? I think? So cool. An evergreen as well?

I only managed a few photos of the ones around our resort, but yes: