Me VS. Buckthorn

[Eckhoffw]

Just another progression thread.
Im full throttle on studying how this invasive plant can serve the bonsai world.
I’ve dug up a couple so far, with intentions on collecting more.
Here is my documentation on buckthorn #1.
Dug up spring of 2000.
Decent spread of primary roots, but not a lot of feeders.
Fast forward into the summer of ‘2000.
Lots of low branching developments, which is good
Again, fast forward to present -spring 2002

 

[Eckhoffw]

Added some wire and carved the chop down a bit.
We will see how it performed this year.

 

[Dogestoevsky]

Well hey there neighbor, I’ve got some buckthorn down here you’d be more than welcome to collect
Spent all weekend hacking away at it…every spring, two weekends in a row and I’m completely knackered.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Well hey there neighbor, I’ve got some buckthorn down here you’d be more than welcome to collect
Spent all weekend hacking away at it…every spring, two weekends in a row and I’m completely knackered.

Lol! I would love to! At the same time, I got a abundant supply right here in the hood!

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Good to see something useful done with buckthorn. When I worked in NE Illinois, we spent a great deal of time, effort & money getting it out of our woods. Rhamnus cathartica is a scourge.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Buckthorn #2 has had its share of die back.
It sent many new shoots after collection, but Died back considerably the next year. One lone branch. I’m actually surprised that it is still alive today! The stump has a big split down the middle of it - more than half of the stump is dead.
#1 seems to be pretty happy for now. The leader will be left to run wild this year - we will see how much the transition from chop improves.

 

[sorce]

Is the Buckthorn winning after 20 years?

That through me for a loop....

Not as wild a loop as finally zooming in on that avatar! Lol!

Nice...and nice.

Sorce

 

[Eckhoffw]

Is the Buckthorn winning after 20 years?

That through me for a loop....

Not as wild a loop as finally zooming in on that avatar! Lol!

Nice...and nice.

Sorce

ha! I had to look back in the thread.
Wow. Must have been tired, or drunk…. Or both.
These were dug in 2020!
So I guess kind of winning for 2 years.


thanks!

 

[sorce]

ha! I had to look back in the thread.
Wow. Must have been tired, or drunk…. Or both.
These were dug in 2020!
So I guess kind of winning for 2 years.


thanks!

Everybody definitely lost one year, you almost lost 20!

Zombie 2041 for sure!

Sorce

 

[Eckhoffw]

As invasive are they are, I’ve been finding that Buckthorn is definitely not impervious to pests and fungus.
I was pleased to see #2 sending strong shoots this spring. Then I notice some orange spot or crown rust on the leaves.
I treated it with neem oil a week back, but must not have applied liberally enough. Yesterday I noticed leaf curl and these ‘lil wankers.
looks like a party! Aphids galore, but what else do we have here?
Will neem take care of all these critters?
Thanks for looking.

 

[Dogestoevsky]

 

[Eckhoffw]

Pre hibernation update.

Looking alright aside from the deep wire scars I put in the leader. That’s alright, buckthorn likes it rough.
I’ll let the leader grow more next year to hopefully create a decent transition.

#2 has one branch growing on the stump. Going to take some creativity and carving to make this stump interesting. Nothing to lose.

 

[Eckhoffw]

I’m enjoying watching this stump degrade. I believe all but the small bit of trunk supporting that branch is dead.
We will see how much life is in it next year.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Well, there still alive. I plan on letting the new leader grow out to thicken near the chop, while trying to balance vigor into the lower branches.
Wire scars galore.
The other stump is going to take some time to develop the solo branch into a tree form. Not to mention, some creative carving after/if it decides to stick around long enough.

 

[Eckhoffw]

I have a QUESTION! Probably a general question, and not specific to buckthorn.

Would it be wise to chop this sacrifice leader now to push energy into lower branches?

Lower branches are definitely not pushing as hard as up top.

 

[Eckhoffw]

I like this one currently. I imagine a buckthorn bonsai to be very tattered. Clinging on and surviving. ~hopefully

 

[Eckhoffw]

Update. It has responded to the chop!
New buds pushing out where I need them. The Wire mark is a thing of beauty .
Growth is very angular with straight shoots. I’m going to try wiring early to prevent this.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Starting to cooperate.
The new chop has popped some buds lower.
But……..didn’t get one where I was hoping. The battle continues…

 

[Eckhoffw]

I keep coming back to see how these are doing. Funny to give such attention to a plant that should be chopped and burned.
Anyways, here they are today.
If I’ve leaned anything about these plants, it’s that:
They behave pretty much the same as other deciduous shrubs

wiring early is going to be essential as the growth habit is very straight and angular.

I found that they like to stay moist, and can tolerate part sun to part shade environments.

Cutting back, triggers suckers to pop, so be ready to deal with those.

Nothing new, I know.
As a species for bonsai…..not awesome but I do think they have potential.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Moving along. Slowly.