Impossible Question to Answer

[Gabler]

What species of field-grown tree would you buy in ten to twenty years? I'm going to buy some seeds and/or seedlings to grow, and I'd like to gauge what people will want to buy in ten to twenty years. I'm growing several North American native species, since no one else seems to be doing it, but I'm also open to planting classic temperate Asian species and desirable European alternatives. If anything from the southern hemisphere would grow in zone seven, I would consider those species, too.

 

[Cadillactaste]

If you could get your hands on sloe...that mature bark is absolutely freaking insane...and... not found here. Black gnarly bark...with the simplicity of a white bloom...and slow berries that are fat,plump and blue.

Now they have been heard of being grown here. But... not for bonsai ...Jason Schley has a dead trunk of one. Again...the bark is wicked cool on more mature trees. You want to create movement though. A dream piece from the UK. I would own one...if there was one readily available.

Species:
Prunus spinosa, called blackthorn or sloe

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Juniperus sabina var rastrera is super rare in the US. You can probably convince some Italians to go berry hunting for you. I'd say they are priced double of what a shimpaku of similar size and age would cost. Just because of the rarity.
Prunus spinosa is nice, and pretty fast growing for a prunus variety. Almost indestructible compared to cherries.
Pinus rigida is making way as a US native double flush pine.
Potentilla, American horse chestnut, virginia creeper, thyme (honestly, if I would be able to find older specimens, dang!), compact varieties of lavender, wild dwarf roses hacked back to a stump every year make great shohin, older azaleas yield a good buck, japanese quince..

 

[KateM]

Sloe would be great!
how about cornus mas?

 

[Gabler]

If you could get your hands on sloe...that mature bark is absolutely freaking insane...and... not found here. Black gnarly bark...with the simplicity of a white bloom...and slow berries that are fat,plump and blue.

Now they have been heard of being grown here. But... not for bonsai ...Jason Schley has a dead trunk of one. Again...the bark is wicked cool on more mature trees. You want to create movement though. A dream piece from the UK. I would own one...if there was one readily available.

Species:
Prunus spinosa, called blackthorn or sloe

That's actually one that I was considering. It's definitely on my list now.

 

[Cadillactaste]

That's actually one that I was considering. It's definitely on my list now.

Add movement. They don't tend to grow with it. The desired ones in the UK...are even rarer than rocking horse sh*t. it's the movement as well that is desirable there.

 

[Gabler]

Juniperus sabina var rastrera is super rare in the US. You can probably convince some Italians to go berry hunting for you. I'd say they are priced double of what a shimpaku of similar size and age would cost. Just because of the rarity.
Prunus spinosa is nice, and pretty fast growing for a prunus variety. Almost indestructible compared to cherries.
Pinus rigida is making way as a US native double flush pine.
Potentilla, American horse chestnut, virginia creeper, thyme (honestly, if I would be able to find older specimens, dang!), compact varieties of lavender, wild dwarf roses hacked back to a stump every year make great shohin, older azaleas yield a good buck, japanese quince..

Sloe would be great!
how about cornus mas?

Great suggestions. I'll take a look at all of those and see whether they will be viable options.

 

[Gabler]

Add movement. They don't tend to grow with it. The desired ones in the UK...are even rarer than rocking horse sh*t. it's the movement as well that is desirable there.

These will definitely be grown as pre-bonsai, meaning regular chops for movement and taper and regular root work.

 

[Cadillactaste]

These will definitely be grown as pre-bonsai, meaning regular chops for movement and taper and regular root work.

Nice to hear. As from my understanding...they can be commonplace/boring in natural growth. It's the crazy movement we all desire.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I have some suggestions, but they likely would struggle in your climate.
Juniperus deppeana, Alligator Juniper
Pinus edulis, Pinus monosperma, and other piñon species.
Chilopsis linearis, Desert Willow

I am currently stratifying Pinus edulis; I will be posting results as (and if) they develop, in case you try the species. At least you'll know what works, or doesn't.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

The desired ones in the UK...are even rarer than rocking horse sh*t.

I respectfully beg to differ, my friend.
The UK and my country have traditionally had many crossovers when it comes to farming, in both animals as well as farming styles. Prunus spinosa is one of the species that can be used for cattle hedging, since it has thorns all over. Just like hawthorns they've been extensively used throughout the countryside.
The desired ones aren't rare at all, they're just difficult to obtain because they keep cattle in their pastures.. And taking one out would be providing an opening for the animals to walk out.
Since there's around 47000 pubs in the UK, I'd say this plant is more commonly reported than a Guinness on tap. I don't believe there's so few desirables in there; they bud back easily, grow like weeds and any shoots popping out extend to about three feet in a single year if they're in the ground. The wood is pretty tough though.
Below is a map of reported and verified "wild" growing prunus spinosa in the UK.
Of course if I would be selling them, I'd say they're super rare and difficult to find.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I respectfully beg to differ, my friend.
The UK and my country have traditionally had many crossovers when it comes to farming, in both animals as well as farming styles. Prunus spinosa is one of the species that can be used for cattle hedging, since it has thorns all over. Just like hawthorns they've been extensively used throughout the countryside.
The desired ones aren't rare at all, they're just difficult to obtain because they keep cattle in their pastures.. And taking one out would be providing an opening for the animals to walk out.
Since there's around 47000 pubs in the UK, I'd say this plant is more commonly reported than a Guinness on tap. I don't believe there's so few desirables in there; they bud back easily, grow like weeds and any shoots popping out extend to about three feet in a single year if they're in the ground. The wood is pretty tough though.
Below is a map of reported and verified "wild" growing prunus spinosa in the UK.
Of course if I would be selling them, I'd say they're super rare and difficult to find.

View attachment 582224

Respectfully disagree. Since my homebase homies from the UK ... I am parroting. they ALL say they are common place...its the gnarly ones that are as rare as rocking horse sh*t. (Their saying...to the reference of yamadori sloe) Even Harry Harrington I believe said that. Bonsai Dave, Sean Stolp...I could go on and on. As it was highly discussed the topic of sloe...how commonplace they are. As your map shows...but...the desired ones. Aren't commonplace at all

 

[Cruiser]

Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce). Hypothetically, if grown in the right place.
I do not think they would do as well in your climate compared to the coastal northwest.

They have an insane desire for water, an insane growth rate, and an insane ability to back bud…. I’ve been studying this in wild trees and chatting with @Kievnstavick about this very topic.

 

[Cmd5235]

Fern leaf beech- Fagus sylvatica ‘Asplenifolia’

 

[Cadillactaste]

I respectfully beg to differ, my friend.
The UK and my country have traditionally had many crossovers when it comes to farming, in both animals as well as farming styles. Prunus spinosa is one of the species that can be used for cattle hedging, since it has thorns all over. Just like hawthorns they've been extensively used throughout the countryside.
The desired ones aren't rare at all, they're just difficult to obtain because they keep cattle in their pastures.. And taking one out would be providing an opening for the animals to walk out.
Since there's around 47000 pubs in the UK, I'd say this plant is more commonly reported than a Guinness on tap. I don't believe there's so few desirables in there; they bud back easily, grow like weeds and any shoots popping out extend to about three feet in a single year if they're in the ground. The wood is pretty tough though.
Below is a map of reported and verified "wild" growing prunus spinosa in the UK.
Of course if I would be selling them, I'd say they're super rare and difficult to find.

View attachment 582224

For sake of discussion...a screenshot from the British group I belong to.

 

[TomP]

Japanese beech -- fagus crenata
One of the North American Stewartia species. Either Stewartia ovata or Stewartia malacondendron

 

[pandacular]

If your goal is specifically to supply a need, you will always find buyers of the classical exotic species.

If you would instead like to focus on natives, that will likely get you a smaller market. It's hard to answer that question, as we don't have a huge crop of "tried and true" native broadleaf species, and in general field growing conifers is likely less viable.

You may be able to grow Pinus contorta in your area, which would be my personal choice for a native conifer to field grow. Many species of live oaks are well proven.

Japanese beech -- fagus crenata

Good luck finding a source! As far as I am told by those who know, they are approximately impossible to find. Would love to see them though, beech are one of my favorites, and this species has the smallest leaf.

 

[Gabler]

If you could get your hands on sloe...that mature bark is absolutely freaking insane...and... not found here. Black gnarly bark...with the simplicity of a white bloom...and slow berries that are fat,plump and blue.

Now they have been heard of being grown here. But... not for bonsai ...Jason Schley has a dead trunk of one. Again...the bark is wicked cool on more mature trees. You want to create movement though. A dream piece from the UK. I would own one...if there was one readily available.

Species:
Prunus spinosa, called blackthorn or sloe

It looks like even the seeds are hard to come by. I'm on a waitlist. Any other species you'd like to see?

 

[Weta]

To promote New Zealand natives I'll post this link.

https://nzseeds.co.nz/collections/nz-native

 

[Gabler]

To promote New Zealand natives I'll post this link.

https://nzseeds.co.nz/collections/nz-native

Any in particular that are good for bonsai?