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Tom Lau

Hometown: Pomona, California

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How long have you been interested in bonsai?

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I have long been interested in bonsai as early as 1985. While channel surfing as a kid, a PBS special was on T.V. describing the methods and tools used in designing these trees really appealed to me. Through the years the re-runs of the movie "Karate Kid" has always reminded me the love that was still buried there. Approximately, in 2010 I came across a family owned nursery called, "Mt. Fuji Nursery" in Upland, California. There I saw several examples of bonsai and randomly asked if there was anybody that gave bonsai lessons. Lindsay Shiba responded back yes, but the class was full until the fall. I have been studying under Lindsay Shiba ever since.  

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Do you have a specialty, resource or method that you would like to share?

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I'm been specializing in flowering and fruiting bonsai for the past 3 years. I just enjoy the additional detail that flowers or fruit add to the overall appearance of the tree. I do have a fascination with quinces of all types. I also have been specimen collecting over the same period of time.

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One resource that I have to share with everybody is to go shopping around and see what every vendor has. This way you know what is a fair price and what type of stock is out there. Along the way, you never know what friends you have made. 

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Find a friend in the club and always do things with them. I can not say how much fun Big Joe and I get into. He has been my shopping buddy, traveling buddy, digging buddy, and watch my back buddy ever since we started bonsai with Lindsay in 2010.

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What other hobbies do you have?

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Rock collecting as Greg puts it Suiseki, Arts and Crafts Era Antiques and Art, anything science related, and traveling.

What are your favorite type(s) of trees?

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Flowering Quince

Princess Persimmon

Japanese Maples

Trident Maples

Elms

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What are your favorite bonsai style?

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Hokidashi - Broom

Kabudashi - Multi-Trunk

Sekijoju - Root over rock

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