Todd Schlafer - First Branch Bonsai

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Todd Schlafer - First Branch Bonsai

Collected trees for landscape and Bonsai

08/25/2026

Colorado blue spruce.
I collected this tree in 2022 and have waited until it got REALLY healthy to design it. It was growing on a pile of rocks and has no roots under the trunk. They’re all on the far left and right, thus the large box. I always figured I’d need a giant slab or slabs that I assemble into one piece, a long shallow container or let Erik Križovenský design a custom container for it.

I’m pretty excited about this tree, getting it into a bonsai container and having it in my show garden.

08/21/2026

Rocky Mountain Juniper
I acquired this tree in 2020, repotted in 2021 into this Sara Rayner container. I’ve sat on this tree for a while as I had several ways I could go with it. The tree was shedding some interior branches so I need to design it and lay everything out.

I changed the original front a few degrees counter clockwise which gave me a better trunk and branch line. I debated trying to bring to bring the top apex up, but the live vein is on the side and trying to bend Rocky Mountain deadwood is a bit risky. So I decided to design it without moving the top. I may try it in the future, but I like where it sits currently.

08/18/2026

Last call – the Tree, Pot & Stand Reveal ends tonight.

Tonight, at 11:59 pm Mountain Daylight Time, is the final cutoff for access to the private First Branch Bonsai collection.

Only a handful of trees remain, and some have been discounted. Do not miss your window of opportunity.

https://www.firstbranchbonsai.com/tree-pot-stand-reveal

08/14/2026

Tree, Pot & Stand Reveal – Live Now

The First Branch personal collection of trees, ceramics, and stands is open.

44 trees, 17 ceramics, 5 stands.

Among what's included: Blue spruces, maples, junipers, pines, and more. Ceramics from Nao Tokutake and Sara Rayner. Stands from Craig Lantis.

Live through August 17th at 11:59 pm MDT.

Shop the collection - https://www.firstbranchbonsai.com/tree-pot-stand-reveal

08/10/2026

THE SECOND ANNUAL TREE & CONTAINER REVEAL IS HERE!

This Friday–Monday, August 14–17, the Second Annual First Branch Bonsai Tree & Container Reveal goes live at FirstBranchBonsai.com.

We’ll have trees in every price range, from project material to beautiful finished bonsai ready for display.

Plus, a new selection of bonsai containers and stands to pair with your next tree.

Whether you’re looking for your next project or a finished tree to add to your collection, there will be something for everyone.

07/29/2026

First Branch Bonsai X ILL.DES T-shirt collab, available now.

We have teamed up with Denver-based artist ILL.DES for this limited edition t-shirt design.

Sharp geometry, striking patterns, and the tension between chaos and order present the same tension between nature and order you would find in a well-styled tree.

The design is based on this 450+ year-old Colorado Blue Spruce, collected & styled by Todd Schlafer at First Branch Bonsai, in a Sara Rayner ceramic.

Available now - https://www.firstbranchbonsai.com/apparel

07/16/2026

Design courses this summer have been so rewarding, with some innovative, creative stylings and collaborative work.

Colorado Blue Spruces - designed by Normando Rodriguez

Douglas fir - we bound the upper portion with dry raffia on the left side, since everything else leaned right, the base was strong enough to support a harmonious design on the left side.

Blue Spruce - Initially designed by Allen Belmore

Address

Denver, CO
80204

Telephone

+17203090060

Website

http://www.FirstBranchBonsai.com/

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