Dale Cochoy

Dale began studying bonsai in 1978 . He studied with Ohio bonsaiman Keith Scott during the late '80's.  Dale and a partner started Wild Things Bonsai Nursery on a part-time basis in 1989 while they worked for G.E. Medical Systems, and Dale went full-time with the business in 1995. “Wild Things Bonsai Studio” is a full-service dealer of domestic and imported bonsai. He also sells collected specimens native to the United States. Included in sales inventory are pottery, tools and other bonsai accessories including oriental art objects. Dale has been producing his own hand-built, one-of-a-kind stoneware "Wild Things" bonsai pottery for 12 years now and in 2001 won 2nd place (modern category) in the National Bonsai Foundation's First North American Bonsai Pot Competition that was held in conjunction with the Asian Arts Festival which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the bonsai collection at the National Arboretum in Washington D.C. In the later part of 2002 Dale renamed the pottery portion of his business to “Yakimono no Kokoro” (Heart of Fired Things) as he felt a more fitting name was needed to express that part of the business. Dale had a bonsai container in the “From The Hands Of” bonsai pottery display in the 2005 World Bonsai Convention in Washington D.C., and, one of his trees was also chosen for the 5th World Bonsai Convention display. The tree was a collected American Larch which was potted in a bonsai container that Dale made specifically for the tree. Dale has twice entered photographs of a personal tree in the World Bonsai Photo Contest and each time had the tree selected in the top 100 entries. He also specializes in the sales of many varieties of power wood carving tools for use in bonsai styling , and is the USA importer/distributor for the “Samurai” line of bonsai power wood carving tools. Dale is a founder of the Akron/Canton Bonsai Society and has served as President and Vice President . He is also a past President and Vice President of the Cleveland Bonsai Club. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Bonsai Society for two terms. Dale maintains his bonsai business and garden in Hartville, Ohio. He also travels throughout the United States to vend at conventions and teach bonsai and pottery workshops and demonstrations. He has been a vendor at many national conventions and symposiums over the years and was the only American vendor at the 3rd. World Bonsai Convention in Seoul, Korea in 1997.