Collected American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) Potting Questions

[CapeCodBonsai]

It APPEARS that the transition from field soil into a bonsai substrate mix back in late April of this year was successful.



However, I’ve read accounts where folks thought they had success (because their tree leafed out) but apparently the tree had just been surviving off its energy stores and slowly faded as summer progressed. Due to my inexperience, I don’t know if that’s the case with this tree.

The Beech leafed out however, the size of those leaves is extremely reduced . . . scary!



During the potting-up process, I’d washed all of the field soil from the roots. I did VERY LITTLE root reduction at the time. The tree is now in a mix of Akadama, Pumice, and Lava. I have the tree on the north side of an old outbuilding and it is also shaded by a large Norway Maple on its west side.

My questions are:

• Three months in, is it safe to assume that this tree has survived the initial potting?
• Should I be applying any fertilizer yet?
• Since it’s in a pot that is too large (for me) to move, any suggestions on winter protection? . . . or do I even need protection if it makes it into December?

 

[KateM]

I'll be watching.
I collected an american beech this spring too. It seems to be making it. Leaves on mine are pretty close to the normal size.

 

[Jrmcmich]

Assume for winter you’ll need some protection especially in your location. Could make something around it to block wind and add mulch to bit below first branch. Assume you don’t have a cold frame? Do you have other trees you have wintered? As far as a tree making it seems like I have Read and experienced myself that following year if tree leafs out is true test. But good signs

 

[Bonsai Obsessed]

It APPEARS that the transition from field soil into a bonsai substrate mix back in late April of this year was successful.

View attachment 607182

However, I’ve read accounts where folks thought they had success (because their tree leafed out) but apparently the tree had just been surviving off its energy stores and slowly faded as summer progressed. Due to my inexperience, I don’t know if that’s the case with this tree.

The Beech leafed out however, the size of those leaves is extremely reduced . . . scary!

View attachment 607179View attachment 607180View attachment 607181

During the potting-up process, I’d washed all of the field soil from the roots. I did VERY LITTLE root reduction at the time. The tree is now in a mix of Akadama, Pumice, and Lava. I have the tree on the north side of an old outbuilding and it is also shaded by a large Norway Maple on its west side.

My questions are:

• Three months in, is it safe to assume that this tree has survived the initial potting?
• Should I be applying any fertilizer yet?
• Since it’s in a pot that is too large (for me) to move, any suggestions on winter protection? . . . or do I even need protection if it makes it into December?

I’m in a vastly different climate than you however I collect a lot of American beech here in SC.
In my climate we keep them in a water tray all thru summer- they are water lovers and in the heat really need the extra water source.
I typically start light fertilizer at 4 months from leaf out- at this point the tree should be producing new roots at this point it should benefit from the nutrients. As mentioned survival to next year will be the test if the collection has been successful. Good luck.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

I'll be watching.

Kate,

How did your Sassafras attempt go? My beloved literati Sassafras is dead (or nearly dead). Mine never leafed out. A scratch test on the trunk still shows some green so, I’ll keep watering it in the hope that it will generate something from the base (or roots) but, I’ve officially added it to my long list of “Trees that I’ve Successfully Killed”.

I hope you had more success and I pray that I don’t have to add this beech to that list.

 

[KateM]

Kate,

How did your Sassafras attempt go? My beloved literati Sassafras is dead (or nearly dead). Mine never leafed out. A scratch test on the trunk still shows some green so, I’ll keep watering it in the hope that it will generate something from the base (or roots) but, I’ve officially added it to my long list of “Trees that I’ve Successfully Killed”.

I hope you had more success.

It is doing fine after I potted it up.
I guess making it through winter will be a true test.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

Assume you don’t have a cold frame?

I have a large shipping container that I’ve stored smaller seedlings in for a few winters now. I keep an electric space heater (set up on a thermostat) inside the container for those bitterly cold periods.

Space, size, weight, my waning strength, and my aversion to forming meaningful friendships will make moving this tree into a protected space impractical. It’s 5-1/2 feet tall from the base of the pot and 4-1/2 feet across. I kind of assumed I would have to erect some sort of protective structure around it . . . at least for its first winter in bonsai soil. I was looking for confirmation of that and hoped to see some examples of temporary structures that others might have made in a similar situation.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

It is doing fine after I potted it up.

So jealous right now

 

[Jrmcmich]

I have a large shipping container that I’ve stored smaller seedlings in for a few winters now. I keep an electric space heater (set up on a thermostat) inside the container for those bitterly cold periods.

Space, size, weight, my waning strength, and my aversion to forming meaningful friendships will make moving this tree into a protected space impractical. It’s 5-1/2 feet tall from the base of the pot and 4-1/2 feet across. I kind of assumed I would have to erect some sort of protective structure around it . . . at least for its first winter in bonsai soil. I was looking for confirmation of that and maybe see some examples of temporary structures that others might have made in a similar situation.

Yeah didn’t notice how large it was at first until I saw Pop can

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

Yeah didn’t notice how large it was at first until I saw Pop can

That’s an “adult pop” can

 

[The Barber]

Nice branch placement, hope it didn't abandon any branches after collection. That tree is going to be really nice as it fattens up over time. The size caught me off guard as well. I have had much better luck using kanuma for my American beech.

You might be able to use something like this for a structure, lots of other options as well, just Google "small tarp shed" or similar, but there are many size options. I bought a 10x20ft version, and will probably buy a second one next year. During the summer it gets shade cloth hung from it. Link just for ideas, they make taller ones.

Amazon.com : Raysfung Outdoor Storage Shed 6 x 3Ft Heavy Duty Portable Storage Shelter with Roll-up Zipper Door for Bike, Mower, Garden Storage : Patio, Lawn & Garden https://share.google/y9RSivihtRUUKFhEW

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

I have had much better luck using kanuma for my American beech.

There actually may be some Kanuma in the mix. I got myself into a position where I had to move the tree but, I didn’t really have the time to do it correctly. After the majority of the field soil was washed away (I did it during a rain storm) I figured what the hell and made the decision to transition to substrate. I was scrambling to come up with enough soil to fill that gigantic pot so, I used every opened and partially filled bag I had at the time. There is likely some perlite in there also.

Thanks for the shelter idea/link.

 

[The Barber]

There actually may be some Kanuma in the mix. I got myself into a position where I had to move the tree but, I didn’t really have the time to do it correctly. After the majority of the field soil was washed away (I did it during a rain storm) I figured what the hell and made the decision to transition to substrate. I was scrambling to come up with enough soil to fill that gigantic pot so, I used every opened and partially filled bag I had at the time. There is likely some perlite in there also.

Thanks for the shelter idea/link.

Normally I only ever use 100 percent pumice for collected trees, but kanuma goes in the mix for beech and oaks and I have had really good success, even when removing the massive oak tap root and pretty terrible root systems.

No problem, girlfriend came up with the idea for the shelter, and it is pretty affordable.

 

[MalsRFun in TN]

I'll be watching.
I collected an american beech this spring too. It seems to be making it. Leaves on mine are pretty close to the normal size.

I also collected an American beech last March, slightly smaller than yours. I didn't replace the soil around the root ball, left intact in East Tennessee mountain forest floor soil. It has normal leaves and even seemed to heal a partly broken branch that I taped together. Seems successful so far along with the small hornbeam and sweet gum I got at the same time. The sweet gum died back close to the ground before leafing out, but now seems to be thriving. I'll repot all this coming spring.

 

[rockm]

I collected and kept an American beech for well over 20 years. I overwintered it outside under eight or nine inches of mulch. It is fine. They are VERY conservative trees and have a single flush of growth. What you get is what you ever year. No backbudding and second flush. The “new” activated buds show up the year after your prune

I wouldn’t worry about your tree too much. I’ve barefooted these without any issues.

I would NOT say they’re “water loving” and i certainly wouldn’t park them I a dish of water. They grow in upland sites AWAY from creek beds. American hornbeam typically grow in the creek bottoms here with the beech on the elevated ridges between. However they don’t like hot soil dry soil inthe summer. Heat will slow roots and winds up damaging leaves. Constantly moist (not wet) soil that remains cool (including at night—which can be tricky) is what they like

Btw if your tree were mine I’d shorten everything by two thirds. I’ve worked on the one below. It was reduced from a collected tree about the size of your tree or a little larger. They tend to look best in a more compact frame.

 

[rockm]

To clarify The tree I posted is not mine. I have worked on it though

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

Heat will slow roots and winds up damaging leaves. Constantly moist (not wet) soil that remains cool (including at night—which can be tricky) is what they like

I hoped that the north side, tree shaded location would help the tree recover without it succumbing to the summer heat. I also added a layer of recycled sphagnum moss to the top of the soil mix in the hope that it would aid in moisture retention and cooling.

Btw if your tree were mine I’d shorten everything by two thirds

I totally agree that the tree would look better if shortened. I had lopped off a little height to aid in transplanting and I wanted to see how the species reacted to die back/healing.

I was thinking that I should wait until the tree had fully recovered from the transition to bonsai soil before I did a more major reduction & pruning. If the thing survives this next winter, I will probably post pictures asking for advice on the best front and suggestions on where to chop.

Thank you for the info & advice.