San Andreas, CA… Olive trees will be the featured topic at the Mother Lode Bonsai Club’s demonstration on Saturday, March 4. Sam Adina of Stockton will be the sensei, or instructor for the free public presentation, which follows the club meeting at 10 a.m. in the San Andreas Central Library, 1299 Gold Hunter Road (off Mountain Ranch Road) in San Andreas.

Adina currently serves as sensei for the Modesto Bonsai Club, a post he has held for the past 12 years. He has been a workshop presenter at California Shohin Society’s seminars and the Golden State Bonsai Federation’s 2016 annual convention in Sacramento. His artistic talents have also been shared at bonsai venues throughout Northern California and Arizona.

According to Adina, developing and styling olive trees requires a degree of skill to create the appearance of gnarled trunks and twisted branching. “It looks easy but there are tricks to be learned,” he said. “Olive trees are interesting subjects with lots of character. While they are not difficult to establish with a specific design in mind, you have to keep a constant eye on them because they grow very quickly. Many forget to do this.”

The demonstration by Adina will focus on developing and styling olive trees into living art. His own backyard collection includes not only olives, but also a number of his other favorites, including black pines, junipers, and many deciduous tree specimens.

Mother Lode Bonsai Club members come from Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, as well as valley communities. All are welcomed to come and learn this enjoyable hobby regardless of their levels of experience. For more information, contact Bob Dean at (209) 754-5887 or go online towww.motherlodebonsai.org.