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WILKES-BARRE — The heat rolled into town just in time for the annual Fine Arts Fiesta on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre.

For Carl Achammer Jr., a vendor at the Fiesta, that meant he had to water his trees twice a day. For the past 19 years, Achammer has been creating Bonsai art from several miniature tree varieties. Bonsai is an East Asian art that originated in China and was refined in Japan. The Bonsai artist aims to make the miniature tree varieties look as if they are shrunken versions of full-sized, mature trees.

“Bonsai art really helps you connect with nature, foremost, but it also connects you to the Earth and the people in it. It opens up this whole side of your brain that you normally would ignore that teaches you creativity and respect for nature,” Achammer described.

“You don’t need a green thumb to be a Bonsai artist, in fact, I have beige thumbs,” Achammer joked. “Really, all beginners need to focus on is making sure the plant is healthy by watering it and caring for it. Some species can live outside, others are better suited for indoor environments, but they should come in for the winter.”

Some Bonsai styles include upright trees, trees that cascade over the side of the pot, and multiple trees in a group in one pot. Achammer had several posters hanging in his tent describing the array of options for Bonsai art. Since the trees were introduced to Japan some 2,000 years ago, the art took on an additional horticultural complexity.

“There’s actually a big misconception with Bonsai, and that’s when people mistake Bonsai, the name of the craft, for a variety of tree. Bonsai can be many different types of miniature trees in many different styles,” Achammer explained.

“The other big misconception is that it’s hard to get involved in Bonsai. Anyone can do and benefit from Bonsai art no matter their experience with plants. All you need to do is buy the plant that you can afford and follow some simple care instructions to become a Bonsai artist.”

Achammer is a member of the NEPA Bonsai Society, which meets the last Wednesday of every month at Midway Garden Center in Pittston. He sells trees that run the gamut from beginner-friendly to trees that can be hundreds of years old. He also has a free Bonsai 101 class on Saturday, May 27, at 1 p.m. Call 570-709-1678 to RSVP.

A shopper looks at Bonsai trees at the Fine Arts Fiesta in Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square on Friday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL052017fiesta1.jpg.optimal.jpgA shopper looks at Bonsai trees at the Fine Arts Fiesta in Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square on Friday. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

Skip Sensbach creates a clay pot at the Fine Arts Fiesta in Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square on Friday, May 19. 5/19/17. Sean McKeag | Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL052017fiesta2.jpg.optimal.jpgSkip Sensbach creates a clay pot at the Fine Arts Fiesta in Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square on Friday, May 19. 5/19/17. Sean McKeag | Times LeaderSean McKeag | Times Leader

Skip Sensbach creates a clay pot on his pottery wheel at the Fine Arts Fiesta on Friday, May 19. 5/19/17. Sean McKeag | Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL052017fiesta3.jpg.optimal.jpgSkip Sensbach creates a clay pot on his pottery wheel at the Fine Arts Fiesta on Friday, May 19. 5/19/17. Sean McKeag | Times LeaderSean McKeag | Times Leader

A shopper looks at Bonsai trees at the Fine Arts Fiesta in Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square on Friday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TTL052017fiesta1TONED.jpg.optimal.jpgA shopper looks at Bonsai trees at the Fine Arts Fiesta in Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square on Friday. Sean McKeag | Times Leader

By Katherine Pugh

For Times Leader

Reach Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242 or on Twitter @TLNews.