EP9: Todd Schlafer - First Branch Bonsai

Todd is a full time professional Bonsai artist based in Denver, Colorado USA. Todd has a passion for Native American trees, and this is noticeable in his choice of material he works to create bonsai, with spruce being one of his favourite species. Todd has an extensive nursery selling yamadori that he has personally collected and he gives us an insight into his collecting regime. Todd trades under the name of ‘First Branch Bonsai’ In this episode we explore his early start in bonsai, the extensive tutorage under Ryan Neil, his experiences and views on European bonsai and where he sees the future of bonsai in the United States, Todd also has a cool line in T shirts. (David's Microphone was playing up for this episode, apologies for the drop in his sound quality, all has been rectified now).