About Zach

I became interested in bonsai first as a youngster, but seriously back in the late 80's.  My first bonsai business, Woodview Gardens, ran from 1988 through 1994.  During that time I collected and shipped several hundred really nice specimens to hobbyists all over the country.  I also helped re-start my local bonsai club, and attended as many meetings as I could of the other clubs in South Louisiana.  It was a pretty heady time, to tell you the truth.  I wrote quite a few articles for the Journal of the American Bonsai Society, was on the editorial board, and almost accepted the editor's job.  That wasn't quite meant to be, but the honor of just being offered the job was incredible.  I also wrote for Bonsai Clubs International's journal during those years.

Looking back to the 90s, it's amazing to me just how intense an experience it was.  I remember doing a lecture-demo for the Greater New Orleans Bonsai Society back in 1991, and had the honor of visiting Vaughn Banting's personal collection.  I watched Guy Guidry demonstrate his amazing skills long before he was internationally known.  And I got to meet the great John Naka at BCI 92; someone may still have the photo of the two of us (master and "other guy").

Personal circumstances forced me to exit the hobby and business in 1994.  By 2000 I was ready to return, and so I founded Bonsai South.  After a hiatus from 2007 to 2009, I got right back out there and started collecting trees again.  There's really nothing else quite like bonsai. 

I hope I can help as many of you as possible enjoy this hobby.