The favourite with South African Bonsai enthusiasts, is the Commiphora Harveyi, or the Paper Bark. This tree exists naturally, throughout KwaZulu-Natal, the eastern parts of the country and in the Kruger National Park. People on the Reef and in the drier regions, work extensively with this type of Bonsai. It’s branches are often used as fencing arrows, around villages in Zululand.

This type of Bonsai is a vigorous grower, but be warned, it can easily die, from too much attention, rather than from neglect. It’s Afrikaans common name, is Kanniedood. Over watering the Paper Bark Bonsai tree, is probably the biggest cause of them dying, as this species has very soft wood. If it receives too much water, in the dry months, or if the soil drainage is poor, it will easily rot. It’s natural habitat, is growing on valley slopes, in fairly shallow soil, with moderate, but regular rainfall.

The Paper Bark Bonsai does not have a deep taproot, but has a good network of smaller roots, so will grow well in a shallow pot.

Another feature of this species, is it’s ability to heal. It works wonders with healing, after pruning. Not only do the scars of a cut close quickly, but the bark will eventually cover all and even the largest of scars will fade and disappear with time.

The bark is one of the most attractive features of the Paper bark Bonsai tree, or “Commi” as it is commonly known. The outer surface dries and forms flakes, which in time, peel off, revealing a shiny bright green Cambium, that grows and swells, to form a new papery bark. This is where it gets it’s name. It is better to let the bark flake off naturally, in it’s own time, than to pull it off by hand.

Insects sometimes build their nests under the bark, which then necessitates pulling the bark back and removing the insect. The leaves are shaped a bit like an Oak, or Maple leaf. They are normally shed twice a year, turning yellow, before falling off. If any of these yellow leaves remain hanging, one should carefully remove them, by hand.

As the new shoots appear, on the Paper Bark Bonsai tree, prune those that you don’t want and pinch the ends, of those that you do want to keep. The new leaves are bronze in colour, smaller and more abundant. The cut branches and nipped buds exude a wonderful fragrance, which will fill a room, for a long time, with this pungent aroma. The scent will remain on one’s fingers, for a while, after squashing a leaf.

If you are planning on trying Bonsai gardening, then get yourself a couple of Paper Bark Bonsai trees to start with. As mentioned, they are indigenous to a large part of South Africa and can be bought from reputable outlets, both locally and abroad.

Discover insider secrets to creating stunning Bonsai trees, with this ebook, titled Bonsai Gardening Secrets. All you need to know about Bonsais. Find out more here http://dersalsites.com/bonsgs/

Sally Robson is an up and coming, South African internet marketer, with a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet. She and her husband Derek, have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. She also has a passion for gardening.

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