Japanese Larch Forest

Hookeroak

Hello everyone,
This is my first post, so I will try to make it succinct. I have had this 7-tree Larch forest for 3 or 4 months now, yet recently the inner needles have begun to dry up and fall. I know Larches are decidious, but I am wondering if it is 'normal' for them to begin falling so early. I live in Northern California where it has been a bit hot lately, so I am worried as to how well they are tolerating it. Is this typical of larches in this climate or are mine 'sick' (and if the latter, what improper care might cause such symptoms?). The photo below is taken a month ago while healthy (I will attach a photo of them in their current state later, if needed, but basically you can imagine them with the inner needles - the bud-like needles closest to the trunk, not the new growth - dried, brown, and ready to fall). Thanks to all for any advice.
Scott

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Master-S.T-

nice bonsai id liek to start this off with, Did you create it yourself? or purchase like this.
Well anyways, when i ever have a problem even if it seems small i always end up whip'n out the ol' bottle of Superthrive =].
some people live buy it ..other people dont like it. Me...I think it is Just about what we all needed from the start( even though its been around sence the 1930's-40's)
But if i were you, if you dont have a bottle, Purchase one and give it a try. It is for these kind of things.
But with your questions, sorry but i just dont know much about that kind of tree, this is just my advice for any minor or major problem with sick/stressed trees in anyway=]
Hope i helped-S.T-

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Hookeroak

Thanks for the advice Master ST, I will try some. I can take no credit for this forest though, as I recently purchased it from Mr. Furukawa several months ago. I am relatively new to bonsai, but only in terms of experience, not in passion. I have been growing and styling a few of my own trees for the past couple of years, but it is always nice to have a 'finished' bonsai to remind us what our years of dedication to this artform can produce. The money was well worth the daily inspiration. I have admired Larches for some time, and when I came across this forest, I just couldn't pass it up. Since, I have only pruned back the thriving explosions of new growth that have taken place in recent months, which is why I am somewhat stumped (no pun intended) over the recent change in health. Thanks again for the advice, I will definetly try some superthrive and hope it can carry the tree through the hot summer and/or whatever errors I have made.

Adam_MA

Hookeroak,
Personally I don't know much about the larch. I have not had any experience with it. I do know however, if you post a picture of the current state of the trees you will get a much better response. There are some really great experts here, so post away.

Adam

Hookeroak

Here's a close up of the needles. A shot of the entire forest does not really capture the detail of the needles I want to show. I'm hoping this is 'normal' for Larches and that it is not indicative of death. I tried some superthrive today, so hopefully this will perk them up, but any other advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Here are a couple of current photos below.

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Hookeroak

And another...

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Hookeroak

And finally a profile. Notice that there is plenty of healthy growth, and thus I'm not sure if I'm worried over nothing (e.g. if this is normal 'behavior' for larches) or if I have actually caught this forest in it's early stages of death.

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TreeBay

Hi Hookeroak,

Are there several areas like this or just one? It looks like that particular branch was wired recently. Where is it located in the forest? It looks like the apex of a branch somewhere.

Branches can die for several reasons. It would help to know if we are talking about one or several, and whether they are on the same, or different trees.

The branches of a bonsai, and a forest, in particular, are in competition with one another. If light and ventilation don't reach a particular branch, it will often be shed in favor of other possibilities.

Most problems related to bonsai are caused by improper watering, and/or location. The last time I wrote that, the gentleman who posted his "sick tree" went ballistic and was ultimately banned. I won't stop saying it, though.

Regards,

Matt

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Hookeroak

TreeBay,
There are a few small areas on the other trees as well where some inner clumps of needles have dried up, but the tree pictured (the same in all three photos) shows the greatest extent of damage, and it is positioned at the end of the forest (the leftmost tree in the original picture I posted). You are probably right about it having to do with either improper watering or lighting/location, but which extreme would more likely cause this (eg. Overwatering or underwatering, too much sun or not enough)? Another question I have is that if it is certain branches dying, is it normal for the new, outer growth on that branch to still remain green and apparently healthy, while the 'old', inner clumps of needles begin to die? Thanks again for the help.
Scott.