Best Minnesota/Wisconsin trees for bonsai

[Kahless]

What are the best trees for bonsai that can be found in the wild in Wisconsin or Minnesota? I will be searching in a friend's back yard in spring in and want to know what to keep my eyes open for. So far I have just collected Siberian elms, bush honeysuckle, and a little-leaved linden. Thanks!

 

[Silentrunning]

I would say Elms and Maples.

 

[Kahless]

I would say Elms and Maples.

Any elms or maples? Do the leaves reduce in all species?

 

[Silentrunning]

All the Elms here in N.C. Seem to reduce well. I have had good luck with Red Maples but I haven’t seen any evidence that others won’t work.

 

[HorseloverFat]

*cracks knuckles*

Thuja Occidentalis
Picea Abies
Picea Glauca
Picea Rubens
Picea Pungens
Pinus Sylvestris
Pinus Nigra
Pinus Banksiana
Ulmus Americana
Ulmus Pumilla
Ulmus Rubra
Ulmus Thomasii
Acer Ginnalla
Acer Rubrum
Acer Spicatum
Acer Platanoides..


ANY Elaeagnus!

Any Hackberry!

Any Cratageus!

LOTS of prunus!!!

Sumac!

Any Euonymus!!

BUCKTHORN!

Juniperus Communis or Horizontalis,..

There is SOOO much more..

 

[HorseloverFat]

Any elms or maples? Do the leaves reduce in all species?

YES for Elms! A few Acers are LESS cooperative.. but overall.. they will reduce... somewhat...

Hunting Ginnalla is your best bet.. I like Platanoides and Rubrums too.. they CAN be “worked”.


(Look for Siberian Elms.. but Americans work
VERY well, too.)

 

[james]

I live in South Dakota, zone 4b. Weather environment similar to you. The big question here is what plans to you have for overwintering your trees? The long term health of your trees, and which species you choose, will depend on this factor more than any. For example, I enjoy maple (Japanese and trident). I started bonsai in Seattle, weather quite accommodating for a wide range of species. I brought those trees to South Dakota. if I didn't have a greenhouse, they just would not work well here.

 

[Eckhoffw]

I’ll add Tamarack - Larix laricina.

 

[Kahless]

*cracks knuckles*

Thuja Occidentalis
Picea Abies
Picea Glauca
Picea Rubens
Picea Pungens
Pinus Sylvestris
Pinus Nigra
Pinus Banksiana
Ulmus Americana
Ulmus Pumilla
Ulmus Rubra
Ulmus Thomasii
Acer Ginnalla
Acer Rubrum
Acer Spicatum
Acer Platanoides..


ANY Elaeagnus!

Any Hackberry!

Any Cratageus!

LOTS of prunus!!!

Sumac!

Any Euonymus!!

BUCKTHORN!

Juniperus Communis or Horizontalis,..

There is SOOO much more..

Buckthorn? Really? there is SO much buckthorn...

 

[HorseloverFat]

Invasives make great TinyTrees.. and the DNR WANTS you to dig them.... if you find a nice enough specimen ‘mongst the endless rows.. I’d dig it, personally..

(Buckthorns have relatively small, distinct interesting foliage that DOES reduce internodes are no trouble.. backbud nicely... interesting mature bark.. grow/trunk up fairly quickly ((in the OVERALL “scheme of things”)))

...just make sure you dig a relatively “breathtaking” specimen... there’s many.. so be picky.. instead of (For instance)digging THREE just to have them.. look longer... climb the hillside and “extract” that ONE “hard-having”-life specimen.. or the fat, gnarled, deer-stomped one (seriously, check deer paths)

 

[HorseloverFat]

Just like Elaeagnus... ALWAYS a free, trouble-free dig on state/federal land.. at least in Wisconsin.. still contact the property manager.. but I’ve NEVER run into problems...

...and I’m “out in the sticks” A LOT.

 

[sorce]

I've found some Buckthorn with bases, heft, and good low trunks/branches like that of some of those Croatian Trees.
Sad to hear about that Earthquake there BTW, hope you'se are well.

Haven't collected any of those yet.

This is my biggest tree.


Needs more attention, I've been leaving it due to odd rootwork times from moving.

Sorce

 

[HorseloverFat]

I've found some Buckthorn with bases, heft, and good low trunks/branches like that of some of those Croatian Trees.
Sad to hear about that Earthquake there BTW, hope you'se are well.

Haven't collected any of those yet.

This is my biggest tree.
View attachment 348326

Needs more attention, I've been leaving it due to odd rootwork times from moving.

Sorce

Call THAT mah-flucker, “Buck WILD!”

 

[SC1989]

Don't forget about acer rubrum and betula pendula/ pubescens, beech, hornbeam. It's all in a short walk in the forest.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Yes beech! Haven’t seen to many in my walks but I have 1 and am loving it.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Yes beech! Haven’t seen to many in my walks but I have 1 and am loving it.

If you find one... you find MANY.

 

[Eckhoffw]

If you find one... you find MANY.

Nice. I need to spend more time in the woods. 👁

 

[HorseloverFat]

Beech hunting is “sucker-hunting”.... be prepared with LONG bags...and strange-shaped containers.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Well, a sucker I am. So.......

 

[Mikecheck123]

Go with the Pride of Minnesota, the 'St. Croix' American elm propagated from a DED-resistant tree in Afton.

That way you don't have to worry about getting (or spreading) DED. Or just put a mask on it.

Ulmus americana 'St. Croix' - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org