The following is a series of questions posed to Gilda Arroyo, a dedicated member of the Pittsburgh Bonsai Society, recognized for her contributions to the local bonsai community. This interview was conducted by the current Pittsburgh Bonsai Society President, Ian Evans.

1) What is your earliest memory of encountering the art and practice of bonsai?

My earliest memory is my dad, Eduardo Arroyo, explaining to me what bonsai was while at the same time teaching me to strip cables/wires to expose the copper (for later use in bonsai).

2) What was the first bonsai you acquired, when did you get it, and what was the outcome?

(Not including the trees I helped my father with as a child.) I was gifted a dwarf garden juniper, Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’, by someone who died shortly after purchasing it in 2006. The little tree arrived in the mail days after the person who bought it died. I still have it.

3) When did you go from casual enjoyment of bonsai to your more serious and dedicated pursuit?

My parents took care of the aforementioned procumbens ‘Nana’ while I went to grad school. Once I graduated, got a job, and moved to Pittsburgh, I decided to learn more about bonsai so that I could keep that tree alive. I also made sure to get it some friends.

4) When did you join the Pittsburgh Bonsai Society, and what elected and volunteer positions have you held?

I think I started going to meetings in late 2011, but didn’t join until 2012 or so. I have pictures from the 2012 show on my phone! I have held every position (up until the recent Bylaw amendments) other than Treasurer and President.

5) Tell us about your work with the American Bonsai Society.

I’m an Associate Editor for the American Bonsai Society. I write articles that feature bonsai in our area. I started writing for their monthly newsletter, but my most recent article got selected for their quarterly print journal. My goal is to feature the talented folks that practice bonsai in the greater Pittsburgh area.

6) I’m sure you have some funny or even terrifying bonsai anecdotes. Please share one with us.

I’ve had plenty of fun & funny times with my bonsai friends – there have certainly been some memorable bonsai auctions! I’ve also had mass tree die-offs – I’m not sure that counts as terrifying though, definitely unpleasant. I don’t think I have any truly terrifying/scary bonsai anecdotes… but I probably will experience one now that I put that in writing.

7) What is one technique, idea, or conceptualization of bonsai that you wish you knew more about, or could do more effectively?

Just one?! I have a lot to learn and am constantly striving for improvement, so I’m not sure I can answer this…

8) What is your favorite species to work on?

I don’t think I have one favorite species. That said, I find working on trees in the Betulaceae and Ulmus families quite soothing.

9) What’s the last scope of work you completed? What kind of tree, age, what did you do to it, etc.?

I recently did some light styling on an azalea but a few weeks ago I did a ton of work on a roughly 20-year-old collected Neea buxifolia (a tropical boxwood). I pruned it heavily and also repotted it. It’s nestled under a ton of grow lights right now, and I’m hoping it has years of future growth left in it.

10) What are you looking forward to?

I am looking forward to finding/making more time to bring the best out of the trees that I have.