Hi All, I am a new member to this forum and very much a beginner. Purchased a few random "trees" to play around with a few months ago (fall/winter) and have done a lot of reading, Youtube watching etc. The local nurseries in the area do not seem to carry a lot of interesting material for bonsai as far as I can tell (I picked up a few small Juniper Parsoni's but that is about it). I am also interested to learn how folks deal with local wildlife (in particular deer and squirrels)
Welcome! There are some other S.C. bonsaists here. Hope they'll chime in on more specifics about trees (FWIW, you're in
Bald Cypress country which is becoming a more and more common bonsai subject).
Anyway, the wildlife thing. Squirrels are a constant menace for bonsai. They will dig in soil and upend trees on benches. Using sharp soil ingredients, like crushed granite and pumice can help keep them from digging, since it cuts their paws. Another deterrent is keeping LARGER trees. More soil, more mass, less chance they can break things. The smaller the tree, the more vulnerable it is to a lot of things, wind, drying out and assault by rodents (and birds, who also will dig around in the soil).
Larger critters like deer and rabbits can be kept at a distance with fencing and keeping trees off the ground (in the case of rabbits) and keeping trees near the house. Fencing, however, can be hit and miss with determined hungry deer.
