Anyone ever try Sassafras as bonsai?

[CapeCodBonsai]

In the ground only. If these two survive the winter I'll try to pot them up next year.

Ahhh . . . there Is the challenge. I hope you’re successful and would love to follow your progress. It would be nice to see you getting young trees with decent sized trunk caliper into pots rather than the twig that I’m starting out with. Please keep posting updates.

 

[Tieball]

Sassafras grows naturally all around me. I’ve never tried it for bonsai captivity though. I used to dig up the trees for the roots. Clean the roots well and boil them in water for Sassafras Tea….Root Beer Tea as it used to be called.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

In the ground only. If these two survive the winter I'll try to pot them up next year.

Hey, Kate!
Just checking in. Did you ever try potting up those sassafras?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I love sassafras, but one concern is that it is a relatively short-lived tree in nature. I've read that it has a lifespan of only about 35 years. You certainly don't see any large/old specimens.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

I love sassafras, but one concern is that it is a relatively short-lived tree in nature. I've read that it has a lifespan of only about 35 years. You certainly don't see any large/old specimens.

I didn’t realize that! It’s a very valid point to consider however, upon discovering the book ‘Four Seasons of Bonsai’ by Kyuzo Murata (and being realistic about my budget) I’ve gotten comfortable with the idea that not all of my bonsai need to be massive old expressions of age.
I’ve had this Sassafras transplanted from the wild into a nursery pot for well over a year now. While it may not have the “Wow!” factor, I really enjoy its literati-esque trunk line and think it would look beautiful in the right pot.

 

[KateM]

Hey, Kate!
Just checking in. Did you ever try potting up those sassafras?

Hey.
Not yet. Planning to do it next Spring. I was planning on doing it last Spring, but newer got to it...
They are doing well in the ground so far in a place where I water regularly and I am hoping they will have shallow roots.

 

[KateM]

I love sassafras, but one concern is that it is a relatively short-lived tree in nature. I've read that it has a lifespan of only about 35 years. You certainly don't see any large/old specimens.

Well, if I pot them up and they survive they'd outlive me... I am fairly sure of it

 

[rockm]

I love sassafras, but one concern is that it is a relatively short-lived tree in nature. I've read that it has a lifespan of only about 35 years. You certainly don't see any large/old specimens.

There are many old Sassafras around-but they're not as common as other species. Some are quite large. Do a search on this Va. Tech site. A few come up, most in the Tidewater. One 52 foot one in Rockingham County in the Shenandoah Valley.

Virginia Big Trees Home

The National champion Sassafras is in Kentucky. From the Kentucky state records, the tree was first nominated for champion status in 1954, so it has been big and old for a long time

Kentucky's Champion Trees - Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet

eec.ky.gov

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

Hey.
Not yet. Planning to do it next Spring. I was planning on doing it last Spring, but newer got to it...
They are doing well in the ground so far in a place where I water regularly and I am hoping they will have shallow roots.

The reason I keep haunting you with the same question Kate, is I was hoping to gain some insight into what has worked as far as soil mix and technique for the initial potting. The tree above is my third attempt at keeping a Sassafras alive in a pot and the first one I’ve managed to keep alive for a year+.
I’m thinking of using a kanuma heavy mix (if not pure kanuma) since apparently they are an acid loving species. My plan also includes very minimal root work.
I‘ll pump up the fertilizer this fall in anticipation of transitioning to a bonsai soil filled training pot in the Spring of 2025. We can compare notes then.

 

[KateM]

The reason I keep haunting you with the same question Kate, is I was hoping to gain some insight into what has worked as far as soil mix and technique for the initial potting. The tree above is my third attempt at keeping a Sassafras alive in a pot and the first one I’ve managed to keep alive for a year+.
I’m thinking of using a kanuma heavy mix (if not pure kanuma) since apparently they are an acid loving species. My plan also includes very minimal root work.
I‘ll pump up the fertilizer this fall in anticipation of transitioning to a bonsai soil filled training pot in the Spring of 2025. We can compare notes then.

I understand. It's good to compare notes. I do have a bag of kanuma.
I do have 2 that survived the original transplant in pretty much the same soil in the ground - sandy. I presume it is fairly acidic too since the farmers keep putting lime on the fields every year, Never had it tested.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

If anyone has one or more growing near their home, and is willing to collect some seeds for me and send them over in the mail, I'm willing to pay for it.
They're very hard to get around here.

 

[KateM]

If anyone has one or more growing near their home, and is willing to collect some seeds for me and send them over in the mail, I'm willing to pay for it.
They're very hard to get around here.

Mine were planted by birds. There is one that blooms and I see seeds on it occasionally, I'll try to watch it this year to see if I can get them before birds.
I usually notice them in this stage.

Not sure when to collect them. Also, it seems they benefit from the passage through bird's digestive system.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Mine were planted by birds. There is one that blooms and I see seeds on it occasionally, I'll try to watch it this year to see if I can get them before birds.
I usually notice them in this stage.
View attachment 561611
Not sure when to collect them. Also, it seems they benefit from the passage through bird's digestive system.

I think that the stage in the picture is the right time to harvest them.
I have germinated them in the past with some hydrochloric acid as stomach simulation.
If you're up for collecting and sending me some, shoot me a pm!

 

[KateM]

I think that the stage in the picture is the right time to harvest them.
I have germinated them in the past with some hydrochloric acid as stomach simulation.
If you're up for collecting and sending me some, shoot me a pm!

That pic is from the web. Let me see what I can find on my tree...

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

If anyone has one or more growing near their home, and is willing to collect some seeds for me and send them over in the mail, I'm willing to pay for it.
They're very hard to get around here.

I come across them where I live but, I usually only notice the saplings near the forest floor. Evidently, they need to be 10+ years of age before they’ll fruit. I’m gonna have to start looking up more often during my dog walks.

The tree I have must be too young to flower but, even if happens to be a female plant, I don’t have any males around to pollinate it.

The insects should start thinning out by the end of the month and most of the tourist will have gone home. When I return to the forest with the dogs in September, I will keep my eyes peeled for some seed for you.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Awesome guys! Thanks for the offers! Let me know if you find anything!

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

If anyone has one or more growing near their home, and is willing to collect some seeds for me and send them over in the mail, I'm willing to pay for it.
They're very hard to get around here.

If you get tired of waiting for one of us to get lucky . . . https://www.treeshrubseeds.com/mobile/specieslist?id=993&ID2=0&g=s
I believe they will ship internationally but, I have no idea what the restrictions are in The Netherlands.