Trees from the National Collection

[Klytus]

Do they also keep the ones smuggled by Richard Nixon?

They have an intriquing history too.

 

[greerhw]

When I first got interested in Bonsai, I found out about a gentleman named Vito Megna in Austin, Texas. So I contacted him and he was retiring from Bonsai and going fishing, he had one heck of a nice set up, big shade house, field grown trees and a very nice large studio where he taught. It was too bad I met him when he was quitting bonsai (although I got some good deals), he was a nice guy. I did buy three of four trees from him on two trips, he had a lot of collected Cedar Elms and Ash junipers, they grew all over the hills where he lived.I bought my first big JBP from him. Now, to the point of this long winded story, he had two trees that were exceptional, a Kingsville Boxwood and the other excapes me now.He wouldn't sell either one, because he was going to donate them the The NA. I often wonder if he and his wife are still fishing and the trees ever made it there. Howard and Sylvia Smith knew him a lot longer than I did, they have one of the best Ash Junipers I've ever seen and I think it came from Vito.

keep it green,
Harry

 

[irene_b]

You think the original pots went walkabout?

It wouldn't be the first time parts of national collections went astray.

The plants look okay.

And trees as well have done the same walk about....Places to find them are with the past curators....
Theft is theft no matter how ya look at it..

 

[Klytus]

Really? that's so outrageous.

 

[cquinn]

And trees as well have done the same walk about....Places to find them are with the past curators....
Theft is theft no matter how ya look at it..

Who? Which trees?

 

[irene_b]

Do the research yourself.

 

[pjkatich]

Mr Yamaki's White Pine has a pretty cool story behind it too.
Hiroshima Survivor

Fangorn,

Thanks for posting this link, I think it adds a great deal to this thread.

Regards,
Paul

 

[pjkatich]

Here are a couple more for you to look at.

 

[pjkatich]

Enjoy,

Paul

 

[pjkatich]

Here are a few more for you viewing pleasure:

 

[pjkatich]

Have a great day,

Paul

 

[Klytus]

I especially liked the Scotch Pine,but is that a little Brass Plaque on it's roots?

 

[mcpesq817]

The Naka atlas cedar is one of my favorite trees in the collection. The Scots Pine and the White Cedar are also great trees.

 

[snobird]

Trees look healthy and in good condition. Mr. Iwasaki is a generous man and also the other benefactors. Thanks for posting.

 

[pjkatich]

I especially liked the Scotch Pine,but is that a little Brass Plaque on it's roots?

The Scotch Pine is planted on a rock. Here is a close-up of the nebari.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[pjkatich]

The Naka atlas cedar is one of my favorite trees in the collection. The Scots Pine and the White Cedar are also great trees.

Yes, I would definitely agree with you, these are all great trees.

Regards,
Paul

 

[pjkatich]

Trees look healthy and in good condition. Mr. Iwasaki is a generous man and also the other benefactors. Thanks for posting.

You are absolutely right, all the trees looked healthy and in very good condition. I think the current staff had done a great job with all the trees that were on display when I visited this past June. Hopefully, this level of care will continue.

There have been and I hope there will be many more generous benefactors of this collection.

You are very welcome.

Regards,
Paul

 

[pjkatich]

Here are a few more for your viewing pleasure:

 

[pjkatich]

And a couple more:

 

[BUBBAFRGA]

Thanks Paul for sharing these with us.

I'll be going to DC on business next week hope to drop by NA and see some of these. I know they have put most in storage but they did tell me some will still be on display in one of the areas.

ON side note Hope to see you in Burnell on January 16th.

Francis Wilber