Impossible Question to Answer

[tonnyhu]

good news

 

[Gabler]

Ive potted up like 3 of them. They do great in containers, but the leaves size has been disappointing so far though sadly.

Korean Hornbeam, and Japanese beech get my votes. Wouldn't mind some large ones.

You might also do some clumps as well when you plant whatever you decide on. Run the saplings through a hole in a tile or board and let em go.

I'm already looking into American hornbeam and American beech. I know Japanese beech has smaller leaves, but it's hard to source viable seeds, and the trees themselves are supposedly finicky. I'm not sure exactly how Korean hornbeam differs from American hornbeam, except that the Korean is much less cold hardy than the American.

I have a mame American hornbeam that I've kept alive for about five years in its half-inch-deep pot without any special protection from the cold. I just set it on the ground. Even after seeing temperatures of -6°F, it hasn't lost a single twig.

 

[Gabler]

This is a major consideration for somebody like me, whose space/time are limited and every inch counts towards paying rent. I need to grow the species that I know will be matched with an equal demand.



This is the best news possible. It is exactly this spirit and somebody in this position who can afford to explore new species, find strains within those species, test these species' growth habits and reactions to our interventions, etc. This is how many of the species we use today were selected in Japan -- by curious hobbyists. It is somebody like you who will identify the species' that will be the 'North American Classics' in 50-100 years from now (regardless of what part of the world or Americas that species 'originated')

I'd like to find a cultivar of Acer rubrum with smaller than average leaves. 'Autumn Flame', 'Gerling', and 'Globosum' are candidates, but I haven't gotten my hands on any yet.

Same goes for Liquidambar styraciflua.

 

[brentwood]

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...

I'd like to see more hackberry, hornbeam, maybe box elder. BE can look very interesting with some age

B

 

[TomP]

Gabler, I started a similar exercise about 5 years ago that basically is my plan for retirement activity if I ever get there (and to make my hobby a bit more self funding)
I am trying to limit myself to a dozen species or so so that I can really focus in on developing expertise on those trees. I have been working with John Eads of Left Coast Bonsai to learn some of these development techniques

What I am focusing on now
Pines: Japanes Black and Red, Scots, Loblolly, and Zuisho white pines from air layers
Korean Hornbeams
Japanese Zelkova
Styrax
Stewartia
Japanese Maples
Trident Maples
Sekka Hinoki

I have decided over the past few years that what works for me is to grow the trees in net pots or pond baskets and sink them in a raised bed full or mulch. I can lift them easily to work on them and keep the roots under control, but I probably give up some growth potential by doing so. I now have about 400 trees in the raised beds in varying degrees of progress so should have some ready to sell in about 5 years

Keep us posted on your progress

 

[leatherback]

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

Keep in mind that in 10 years from now, young spinoza's will all be boring; No nice bark, no interesting movement and very thin (Or stovepipes without taper).
The interesting ones in the UK grow under wet, cold conditions in pastures with sheep and are several decades old. The nice ones are found mostly in Wales and near Scotland. Tony Tickle has a few very good slopes where they are quite common (but even there the top-ones are hard to get a hold off).

 

[Kanorin]

I applaud your efforts! I'm doing something similar, but on a much smaller scale. I have room for maybe ~25 trees in the ground and in grow beds. I have a mix of some tried and true (Trident maples, junipers, crabapples) and some not-yet figured out species (3 species of native plums, Am. arborea, Pinus echinata, red maple, american elm, malus ioensis, gray dogwood).

I'd recommend serviceberries for those who like the rough bark plus delicate flower look while being less disease-prone than most of the prunus. If you like pines, I see particular promise in 3 native pines: pitch pine, shortleaf pine, and virginia pine - would be great to have some more folks field growing those.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Keep in mind that in 10 years from now, young spinoza's will all be boring; No nice bark, no interesting movement and very thin (Or stovepipes without taper).
The interesting ones in the UK grow under wet, cold conditions in pastures with sheep and are several decades old. The nice ones are found mostly in Wales and near Scotland. Tony Tickle has a few very good slopes where they are quite common (but even there the top-ones are hard to get a hold off).

Correct, which is why I said to add movement. I have no idea how old the poster is. But if someone decided to propagate some...maybe not in my lifetime. But at some point...they could be a source for bonsai.

Yes, Tony Tickle... and Bonsai Dave share the same greenhouses/lot. So Dave said.

Appreciate your confirming the very good ones are hard to come by. It's the only species from there that I've heard referenced as *Rarer than rocking horse sh*t.

Seems he/poster can't even source seeds. He's on a wait list for just those. He was asking...I think it would be great to see one put time into the species. As...its known to grow over near Maine. In a Google reference... but again, they don't tend to grow with movement as you state...and everyone across the pond agrees. To find good ones... are very hard to come by.

 

[Gabler]

Correct, which is why I said to add movement. I have no idea how old the poster is. But if someone decided to propagate some...maybe not in my lifetime. But at some point...they could be a source for bonsai.

Yes, Tony Tickle... and Bonsai Dave share the same greenhouses/lot. So Dave said.

Appreciate your confirming the very good ones are hard to come by. It's the only species from there that I've heard referenced as *Rarer than rocking horse sh*t.

Seems he/poster can't even source seeds. He's on a wait list for just those. He was asking...I think it would be great to see one put time into the species. As...its known to grow over near Maine. In a Google reference... but again, they don't tend to grow with movement as you state...and everyone across the pond agrees. To find good ones... are very hard to come by.

If it's relevant, I'm 29 years old.

 

[Cadillactaste]

If it's relevant, I'm 29 years old.

You just a young pup! You got years... I hope you gain access to those seeds.

 

[The Barber]

I'd like to find a cultivar of Acer rubrum with smaller than average leaves. 'Autumn Flame', 'Gerling', and 'Globosum' are candidates, but I haven't gotten my hands on any yet.

Same goes for Liquidambar styraciflua.

I've been looking through the woods for one with small leaves for quite some time...hopefully one day a cultivar shows up on the market. That would be amazing.

 

[Notsureaboutplantnames]

If you are interested in plants from New Zealand, consider Dacrydium cupressinum.

I have no idea how it handles root work or serious pruning but, I had one in a pot for 15 yrs

 

[TomP]

If it's relevant, I'm 29 years old.

You have a bit more time that I do

 

[Gabler]

You have a bit more time that I do

You never know. I could die in a plane wreck tomorrow. These things do tend to come in threes.

 

[Gabler]

Gabler, I started a similar exercise about 5 years ago that basically is my plan for retirement activity if I ever get there (and to make my hobby a bit more self funding)
I am trying to limit myself to a dozen species or so so that I can really focus in on developing expertise on those trees. I have been working with John Eads of Left Coast Bonsai to learn some of these development techniques

What I am focusing on now
Pines: Japanes Black and Red, Scots, Loblolly, and Zuisho white pines from air layers
Korean Hornbeams
Japanese Zelkova
Styrax
Stewartia
Japanese Maples
Trident Maples
Sekka Hinoki

I have decided over the past few years that what works for me is to grow the trees in net pots or pond baskets and sink them in a raised bed full or mulch. I can lift them easily to work on them and keep the roots under control, but I probably give up some growth potential by doing so. I now have about 400 trees in the raised beds in varying degrees of progress so should have some ready to sell in about 5 years

Keep us posted on your progress

It makes sense to focus consistently on a handful of favorites. I'll be sure to post updates.

 

[PerryB]

That reminds me, I planted a bunch of Diospyros virginiana in the fall.

THAT was going to be my top suggestion!
Sadly, at age 73, I don't expect to buying new tees in 10 or 15 years.

 

[PerryB]

Also, how about Aldus incana?
The silvery smooth bark has interesting markings; I think the leaves will reduce; the long catkin flowers in spring are delicate, and the seeds are borne in little cones that last into winter.
Someone here on BN has one (or several?), maybe @shogun ?

 

[DeepSouth]

You should consider some of the US native Crataegus species. Any of them would work. Small ornate leaves and very short internodes.

 

[PerryB]

Also, how about Aldus incana?
The silvery smooth bark has interesting markings; I think the leaves will reduce; the long catkin flowers in spring are delicate, and the seeds are borne in little cones that last into winter.
Someone here on BN has one (or several?), maybe @shogun ?

Sorry: Alnus incana.