I live in Utah and am wanting to get into bonsais and I read the post saying they can't be kept indoors, the problem is in winter it gets to ~10F (-12C) and in summer ~110F (43C) which is quite a large range. What is my best course of action? Is it just that I can only get specific breeds of bonsai, and if so which ones?
Extreme summer and winter
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JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
Yes you can get specific species (mostly sub tropical and tropical) to keep indoors. Keep in mind that they will need specific environments to keep them healthy, such as appropriate lighting and pest control as inside can be tricky for bugs. You can also do native trees to your area and keep them outside all year round ( with some protections such as mulching overwinter, or a cold frame type setup. If you really want to get batshit crazy like some of us (looking at myself in the mirror here) you can build a temperature controlled cold greenhouse type storage to keep trees that are marginal or not hardy at all in your zone. I'm not doing any inside plants anymore, although I've had Brazilian raintree, Willowleaf ficus (good choice for beginners!) and olive. All three of these can be kept inside over winter with some care, and then go outside during the summer months. There are also mitigating strategies for hot weather, such as shade cloth and misting that can be employed outside. Hope this helps, probably if you go the inside tree route, there will be folks who do that chiming in here.
WIlliam_Butler_Yeets
Mame
There are some species you could overwinter indoors (ficus microcarpa is popular and tough to kill), for outdoors you would also want to steer clear of some species but there's also a lot you could keep fine, just would have to prepare them for a cold winter, like burying the pot in the ground and mulching etc, or keeping a small greenhouse that could mitigate the worst of the cold
Desert O'Piñon
Chumono
Your climate sounds pretty similar to mine, actually. @JudyB is right about the olive, but you might not have to bring it inside every winter. We have been down to 9° F this season, and I've had mine outside on the ground with a straw mulch. Only a couple of new tips were slightly burnt; overall it's still going, almost all of the new growth is still alive. But a cold frame or a bright garage isn't a bad idea.
If you want year-round outdoor trees, definitely look at natives. I'm currently stratifying a bunch of piñon seeds to plant next month. Elms are very sturdy trees, and you might even be able to grow pomegranate. They grow everywhere around here.
I would guess you're very dry, too? So I would look at drought tolerant species. I know that Acer grandidentatum, Big Tooth Maple is native to Utah, so it might be a good option for a deciduous species. Also, Celtis laevigata could be an option for Hackberry. It is supposed to be more drought and heat tolerant than other species.
If you want year-round outdoor trees, definitely look at natives. I'm currently stratifying a bunch of piñon seeds to plant next month. Elms are very sturdy trees, and you might even be able to grow pomegranate. They grow everywhere around here.
I would guess you're very dry, too? So I would look at drought tolerant species. I know that Acer grandidentatum, Big Tooth Maple is native to Utah, so it might be a good option for a deciduous species. Also, Celtis laevigata could be an option for Hackberry. It is supposed to be more drought and heat tolerant than other species.
The Barber
Chumono
If you are looking for species that can handle your outdoor climate. You may be able to have a bald cypress. During the heat of summer you can set the BC's pot in a tub of water in afternoon shade to help alleviate the stress of summer heat. They wont drown like almost all other trees will. 10°F shouldn't be an issue if you protect it in the winters as well.
Charlo
Yamadori
I have a beautiful yamadori juniper that is an Utah juniper. It grows in my climate. I would recommend sticking with species that grow in your area. It is a pain to take care of others that do not grow in your climate zone. Bonsai does not need to be limited to outdoor plants/ trees. I have some awesome P Afras.
Desert O'Piñon
Chumono
@Captkingdom is in Utah, he might have some suggestions for good trees for your area.
gschup
Sapling
I am definitely not an expert, but I would first think about species that survives the winter given your capabilities (think unheated storage or mulching in a protected spot) and then try to protect it in summer by keeping it in shade.
I suspect there should be some kind of pine that's local to your area. Pines are usually quite hardy.
I suspect there should be some kind of pine that's local to your area. Pines are usually quite hardy.
Tieball
Masterpiece
I would research local tree species. I’d probably wander around in admiration, finding trees that naturally grow in the Utah climate every day. I'd learn about the local tree survival aspects and not cave-in to the idea to own whatever everyone else in different climates collects. Unique-to-a-climate trees are excellent…and rewarding. You'll enjoy bonsai more without having to be overly climate concerned or protective. Utah has some fabulous trees growing….all without significant protection. There are a lot of local large and small trees for natural guidance, learning and creative direction. Unique is good. Go collecting.
MaciekA
Shohin
-12C describes the boundary between USDA hardiness zone 8 and zone 7. Your top temperature (43C) is several degrees lower than the maximum temperature I've experienced in Northwestern Oregon (during the PNW heat dome in 2021).
In bonsai terms, especially in US/North American reckoning, you are describing a mild winter climate that happens to have a summer not exceeding the heat experienced in "the easiest place in the US to grow bonsai" (PNW). There are places in the PNW that experienced between 47 and 50C in 2021 and we didn't lose all of our bonsai.
There is more to climate than temperature extremes though, so I'd consider western US native species that live in mountain areas. Any pine from the Rockies or Cascades will handle your climate easily. Any deciduous broadleaf species that lives in the same areas as those pines will too.
Start with iNaturalist (in the map view mode), which will give you real information about what grows in your region / in the western mountain regions generally.
In bonsai terms, especially in US/North American reckoning, you are describing a mild winter climate that happens to have a summer not exceeding the heat experienced in "the easiest place in the US to grow bonsai" (PNW). There are places in the PNW that experienced between 47 and 50C in 2021 and we didn't lose all of our bonsai.
There is more to climate than temperature extremes though, so I'd consider western US native species that live in mountain areas. Any pine from the Rockies or Cascades will handle your climate easily. Any deciduous broadleaf species that lives in the same areas as those pines will too.
Start with iNaturalist (in the map view mode), which will give you real information about what grows in your region / in the western mountain regions generally.
Desert O'Piñon
Chumono
This!
Look into Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), One-seed Juniper (monosperma), Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) with winter protection, and Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa) for a few species that may be native options.
Also, somewhat dependent upon your altitude, perhaps bristlecone pine, though they might be one of the slowest growing pine groups that exist.
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
Hopefully the OP is reading all this good and sage advice the community is throwing out there. 
I would add only one thing, that a tree that is in a pot is basically one zone less hardy than the same tree that is planted in the ground.
I would add only one thing, that a tree that is in a pot is basically one zone less hardy than the same tree that is planted in the ground.With this would I have to collect the seeds or would I be able to collect a cutting from a branch and propagate it into a bonsai or do bonsais have to be done from seeds
Desert O'Piñon
Chumono
Typically, when we speak of collecting bonsai, we're referring to digging an entire tree, with as many intact roots as possible. You are probably about 6 to 8 weeks from prime season for collecting. It's usually done just before/as the buds od new growth start to swell. One thing we all stress is permission. On private or government land, be sure to contact the proper authority to get permits or permission.
You can also get cuttings, air layers or seeds as you said.
BrightsideB
Omono
I think reaching out to your local club would help a lot. Over time in the hobby you will learn a lot. Also spending time on the forum and other bonsai related sites.
Tieball
Masterpiece
Branch cuttings, air layering, digging and collecting would be my preference. I’d favor digging and collecting mostly. I’m sure there are also a few bonsai shops in the major Utah cities. Me…I stay away from seeds. It takes far too long. And, as a new to bonsai person like you are, I think you’re more interested in tree material that’s larger. Seeds take a long long time to develop into a tree. Yeah….its fun to watch the growth….but having tree material to actually work on and show to others (in person or with a photo) is much more satisfying.
Bonsai are trees. There are no bonsai seeds. Seeds grow trees. Bonsai through cultivation, chopping and pruning keep the trees smaller.
I’m sure there are homesteads, farms and such with wooded areas. Ask for permission. It’s likely that they will say go ahead…just fill in the hole once you dig.
