Native to the Sonoran Desert and subtropical scrub habitats of Mexico and Arizona this tree is also called torchwood copal because of its fragrant resin. The tree was initially sold to me as Busera odorata, which according to the online Encyclopedias of Living Forms (www.llifle.com) is a synonym for the accepted scientific name Bursera fagaroides.
The tree today.
Baked potatoes! The tree when it first arrived together with a Ficus petiolaris from Botanic Wonders. I still have both trees, which have put on a lot of growth in the ensuing years.
The tree in a bonsai pot.
The tree about two years later showing inverse taper at the base.
Planted in a deeper pot.
Inverse taper still visible at the base.
Begin third repot.
Poor root system.
Branch-pruned and covered inverse taper by planting deeper in the pot.
Growth.
More growth.
A lot more growth.
Wired.
Winter.
Developing into a small tree.
The tree at the end of July.
Branch-pruned.
The tree today from the opposite side. I still haven’t chosen the front/back.
beginBonsai 