San Andreas,CA…“Crafting by Grafting” will be the theme for the Mother Lode Bonsai Club’s free public demonstration on Saturday, February 4. Guest speaker will be Dan “Doc” Ward, a well-known Placer County bonsai expert, who resides in Granite Bay. His presentation will follow the club’s monthly meeting at 10:00 a.m. in the San Andreas Central Library, 1299 Gold Hunter Road (off Mountain Ranch Road) in San Andreas.

Doc Ward, whose interest in this hobby started 30 years ago, has lectured at Sierra College (horticultural department) in Rocklin, taught Master Gardeners’ classes for years, and currently leads weekly instructional groups on a variety of bonsai topics, including grafting techniques. “The fundamental skills that I teach are used to give trees the appearance of ancient growth,” he said. “For example, by incorporating healthy growth from a small tree onto a larger stump, you build a more established, older looking tree that is smaller in size but well-developed in its base structure.”

Ward encourages hands-on experience for his students and believes in reducing the amount of time usually required to learn complicated grafting strategies. His goals include enhancing tree growth, emphasizing size and proportion, and providing ongoing seasonal care for bonsai trees.

While demonstrating the role of above-ground plant care, including branch ramification, he will also include the importance of underground root development. “Everything you do works together and roots are the essential system that supports the whole operation,” Ward said.

Everyone is invited to attend regardless of their levels of experience. Club members will also be available to provide guests with information on bonsai care. For more information, contact Bob Dean at (209) 754-5887 or go online to www.motherlodebonsai.org.