Whereabouts of my Acer Negundo bonsai forest 3/7/2026

   

   It past a whileee since I wrote the last blog... it was 2024, right?
  Where I have been? Busy as usual, as 2024 was another difficult year, followed by deceptive times and lots of difficulties. 

    Fig.1.Bonsai forest in 2024
     Fig.2.Bonsai forest in 2024.

The bonsai forest developed a lot since the last blog, it was repotted and trees developed astonishing canopies and branches, yet the leaves still remain big. Unfortunately I lost one tree after I've been away for a long time, nobody was home and trees were crowded in their former pot. The tree was replaced following spring.
    Fig.3.Repotting process

The forest was repotted in 2025, amid my health decline. Luckily I found a tray that included all trees properly. The old pot was just a tray for chicken meat- trees grew quite well within that, though the soil was recycled and back in 2022 I was so hopeless in the project. In 2025 I used brand new soil, trimmed the roots and placed the trees in their original places like in the former tray.
    Fig.4. Third spring in new pot 

Trees bounced back and the Dacia 1300 model was returned to the forest. They grew very well in 2025, no more pests or spots on leaves. 
    Fig.5. Bonsai forest as of September 2025.

Back in 2024, I've discovered some battery powered LEDs and I used them ever since on my forest. It looks cozy as a night lamp during summers. 
   Fig.6. LEDs as of August 2024
Fig.7. Bonsai forest in the new pot 
    Fig.8. Autumn 

The following year, 2026...

  Usually the bonsai forest hit dormancy after October. I put Christmas lights on it, though nobody sees it since I keep it in the unheated balcony, where the winter colds hit the unstable windows.
 
    Fig.9.Christmas time
The trees are inactive given their deciduous type. Usually by March they start to show signs of swollen buds, though early spring is more of a "late winter continuation". I wasn't even prepared for what was going to happen in mid March 2026...
     Fig.10. Bonsai forest in early March 2026


A fire across the street

  On 19 March, the unexpected happened- a fire broke across the street on that evening. Sirens, panic, people leaving their homes and a burning roof. A lot of developments happened "behind my back" (ironically).
    Fig.11.Fire across the street 

  The whole situation is still mysterious to this day. Some people perished in the incident and the evening was so frightening so I couldn't close an eye that night. Three days in a row...
   The bonsai forest was in the balcony and witnessed all the panic outside. 
    Fig.12. Videos recorded (and deleted afterwards)
 It was awry. I felt blue and what I read on the news made me feel even worse. The times are so unstable and even across the street the hazard hit.
    Fig.13.Story from Instagram 20/3/2026

Aftermath 

 Everything went to normal by April. The forest broke dormancy and showed the early green immediately after 19/3. 
    Fig.13. Photos taken via Sony Cybershot
 
   It seems that the incident didn't leave any mark on the trees. I couldn't open the windows for several days because of the smoke still persistent in the air. The incident will probably live rent free in my mind, especially since it's tinged with one of my beloved projects I was working on for several years. A month earlier I was dealing with dental issues and barely found a cabinet to get the needed treatment. 
    Fig.14. Bonsai forest with almost complete leaves 
 By default, the Acer Negundo leaves are big and they stay like that whatever pruning techniques you use. Actually they don't really like pruning, only once per spring. Since 2022 I've developed a more personal experience on this maple and I'm quite happy to have such a specific bonsai forest. It happened naturally and the day when I discovered some Negundos growing in some cracks was crucial. 
    Fig.15. Bonsai forest in mid spring
    Fig.16. Details

  As the project progressed, the trees developed a taper and detailed branches, while the leaves helped to get a bit of weeping. After spring phase ended, the forest only needed water and nothing more than casual care. The balcony is south faced so the sunlight is likely all day. The species seems to survive interiors.

    Fig.17. Easter time
  Acer Negundo bonsai forest became more of a symbol for my 20s, which unfortunately are ravaged by various silly events- wars, inflation etc. Usually is the first thing I'm checking when I'm out of town for a long time. Unlike past years, the leaves are quite dense and shadows keep the moist for a long time. 
    Fig.18 Progression over the years 

  The future is uncertain and I'm no longer excited about 2030s- I don't think anyone else. When I was 17 I couldn't wait to experience the adulthood life, though after recent years that desire basically consumed and my plans were fruitless, except Acer Negundo forest. I'm simply can't move forward...
    Fig. 19. Bonsai forest in June

  Now the forest stands quite big. It weight around 5 kg and becomes heavier as years past by. Next year I'll probably change the soil and trim the roots, but remain to be seen. Currently it became an ecosystem on par with a real size forest- living trees, moss, tiny insects and even spiders. I dismissed the usage of wires and developed gradually the canopies. The forest resemble some places I used to know back in my teenage and abandoned Dacias usually spotted on my way to school. I leave it alone most of time so it won't get "too spoiled". Unfortunately Acer Negundo is so unpopular amongst bonsai enthusiasts, I needed to develop my own techniques (with high risk of losing the entire forest!). But Lord inspired me the right way to do. 🙏
    Fig.20. Bonsai forest enjoys the July sun

  Yeah, the bonsai forest as of present day (Fig.20)- soon will become a TBT moment, but yet there are exactly 3 months of green prior it hits again the autumn phase. This sunshine moment is one of my favorites, it reminds me of a local park that unfortunately fell into revamping process, thus losing a place full of memories now turned into real-life minimalism. The bonsai forest was planted on exact date as the anniversary of the park, 22 March (Fig. 21)

    Fig.21. Bonsai forest after being planted, 2022

That is it. Cheers! 🍻💡🌳
AS 2026






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