Anyone here from Fresno?

[BrianBay9]

Looks like I'll be moving from the cool, foggy Central California coast, to Fresno, California, land of triple digit summers. I'm considering which of my trees I should sell or donate before I go. I'm sure my native oaks, ficus and olives will be fine, even improve with the heat. Elms, pyracantha, junipers and cedars should be good. How about silverberry?

My most developed trees are boxwood. Although they are found in the Fresno landscaping, I haven't seen many box bonsai living in the central valley. Aside from summer shade, any suggestions for keeping them happy?

I'm fully expecting my Japanese maples to struggle. Same for hinoki cypress. Probably leave those behind.

Anyone from the Fresno area confirm?

 

[yenling83]

Hey Brian, I'm in San Luis Obispo County, but often work in Fresno. I think many trees can do great in Fresno including pretty much everything you listed above with proper care. I even believe that Silverberry, J Maple and Hinoki will do great. The heat in summer is the main thing that can kill any of these trees. Shade cloth and proper watering/lots of watering when it's hot is your friend. There's a fairly active Fresno club and community at the Shinzen Bonsai garden. Julian Tsai comes to the Shinzen on a somewhat regular basis, he's super talented and you should meet up with him. Good luck!

 

[PaulH]

Smoke, AKA Al Kepler, is in Fresno and very knowledgeable.

 

[Ruddigger]

Shade cloth, shade cloth, shade cloth.

 

[BrianBay9]

Hey Brian, I'm in San Luis Obispo County, but often work in Fresno. I think many trees can do great in Fresno including pretty much everything you listed above with proper care. I even believe that Silverberry, J Maple and Hinoki will do great. The heat in summer is the main thing that can kill any of these trees. Shade cloth and proper watering/lots of watering when it's hot is your friend. There's a fairly active Fresno club and community at the Shinzen Bonsai garden. Julian Tsai comes to the Shinzen on a somewhat regular basis, he's super talented and you should meet up with him. Good luck!

I'll definitely hook up with the club once I'm out there. Lots of questions about water quality, soil composition, heat....the environment is just sooo much different that what I've been working with the last 5 or 6 years.

 

[LuZiKui]

I can take some of those coast live oaks off your hands if you’re concerned about them .

Good luck! Hopefully with the move you’ll be able to get more space to expand your collection.

 

[BrianBay9]

I can take some of those coast live oaks off your hands if you’re concerned about them .

Good luck! Hopefully with the move you’ll be able to get more space to expand your collection.

Yes, definitely more space. At least my olives will be happier!

 

[JudyB]

That will be quite a change for you! I hope it goes well.

 

[BrianBay9]

That will be quite a change for you! I hope it goes well.

Thanks. This will be my 5th move to a different climate since I started doing bonsai. At every move I lost some trees while I learned how to adapt. You'd think I'd be better at it by now.

 

[JudyB]

You and @Dav4 - the bonsai nomad bros.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I believe Fresno has a bonsai dress code you (and your neighbors) need to be aware of.

 

[sevan]

I lived in Fresno for 5 years (about 15 years ago), but not with bonsai. Aside from the comments about heat and shade, the water is toxic from all of the agricultural runoff. I would get a good filter for your trees and sign up for bottled water service for yourself. Rainwater isn't really an option, it only really rains in the winter.

 

[BrianBay9]

I lived in Fresno for 5 years (about 15 years ago), but not with bonsai. Aside from the comments about heat and shade, the water is toxic from all of the agricultural runoff. I would get a good filter for your trees and sign up for bottled water service for yourself. Rainwater isn't really an option, it only really rains in the winter.

Yeah, house comes with an RO system but I need to get the water (post filtration) tested.

 

[BrianBay9]

I believe Fresno has a bonsai dress code you (and your neighbors) need to be aware of.

Is that the Smoke lingerie requirement?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Is that the Smoke lingerie requirement?

I’m sure someone’s banner ads can help point you in the right direction.

 

[JudyB]

I’m sure someone’s banner ads can help point you in the right direction.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this sidebar to the original post... and it was completely expected on my part. If anyone remembers there was also a fur lined accoutrement suggested for colder climes as well....

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I'm thoroughly enjoying this sidebar to the original post... and it was completely expected on my part. If anyone remembers there was also a fur lined accoutrement suggested for colder climes as well....

Yeah, it’s been so cold here, I’m close to looking for one, Plus it’s been a little quiet around the Nuthouse lately.
Good luck on the move @BrianBay9 moving is not fun.

 

[arreaux]

Have to visit Nee-Hai bonsai and say "Hi" to Gray. He has Hinoki there...

 

[EdyRay]

Hey Brian, I'm in San Luis Obispo County, but often work in Fresno. I think many trees can do great in Fresno including pretty much everything you listed above with proper care. I even believe that Silverberry, J Maple and Hinoki will do great. The heat in summer is the main thing that can kill any of these trees. Shade cloth and proper watering/lots of watering when it's hot is your friend. There's a fairly active Fresno club and community at the Shinzen Bonsai garden. Julian Tsai comes to the Shinzen on a somewhat regular basis, he's super talented and you should meet up with him. Good luck!

Hi Brian, can I ask what level of shade cloth you use? 50%/70%+? I’m in Los Angeles and am not sure what type to get.

 

[BrianBay9]

Sorry, just got my trees here so I haven't survived my first summer in the heat. My back yard is pretty shady in the afternoon, so maybe I won't need shade cloth? I'll come back with recommendations after my first Fresno club meeting this week.