# Zone 9A ‘Practice species’

**URL:** <https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/zone-9a-practice-species/7771>\
**Category:** Beginners\
**Created:** [February 16, 2021, 1:19am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/zone-9a-practice-species/7771 "2021-02-16T01:19:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Arst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Arst](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/Arst)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2021, 1:19am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/zone-9a-practice-species/7771/1 "2021-02-16T01:19:40Z")

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Howdy!

I am very new to bonsai. Ive been reading and watching videos for about 2 weeks, then bought a few small trees from a local nursery a few days ago and joined Mirai today.

I have been watching the suggested beginner videos and in the Nursery Stock series with its idea of using a xmas tree as its easy to get, fairly cheap, and have a lot of potential without beating yourself up too much for failure.

I live in 9A and am hoping that there is an equivalent to the ‘Christmas Tree’ that will survive in my area.

My goals are to get experience with the basics - potting, pruning, watering, root care etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions on species that may be a good fit?

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**Author:** ![nmhansen](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.bonsaimirai.com/nmhansen/32/114_2.png) [@nmhansen](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/u/nmhansen)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2021, 3:36am UTC](https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/zone-9a-practice-species/7771/2 "2021-02-16T03:36:54Z")

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I kinda think all of the ones sold at nursery stores as Christmas trees are good practice material for the price. I haven’t had a lot of success with Alberta spruce, but others have. I’ve done okay with Colorado blue spruce though.