Start Ginkgo bonsai

[DWHorv722]

Hi there,

I am trying to figure out the best way to start a Ginkgo bonsai, they grow around where I live so I am not worried about how it will do, but they seem to be a tricky species to get a hold of. My local nursery only stocks larger ginkgo plantings (upwards of 10 feet tall but a nice trunk thickness) so finding anything small would be tricky unless I order online (which is fairly expensive).

I was debating buying one of these bigger trees and cutting it back to size and seeing if it grows but wanted to get some advice before making a final decision/purchase. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[vp999]

Ginkgo supposed to be an extremely slow specie to thicken, I would definitely spend the extra money to get a decent size trunk and chop since you probably want it to be a flame style. They also will back bud easily. Make sure you get the kind that has smaller leaves too.

 

[DWHorv722]

Ginkgo supposed to be an extremely slow specie to thicken, I would definitely spend the extra money to get a decent size trunk and chop since you probably want it to be a flame style. They also will back bud easily. Make sure you get the kind that has smaller leaves too.

Thanks for the advice, it would be my first time trying a trunk chop so I am assuming I’d pick a decent height for the bonsai and chop it there and let it grow out again from there or do I need to leave some foliage on?

 

[MrFancyPlants]

You can always follow your nose to pick up some seeds. Philly wasn’t careful about planting only male trees, I’m not sure about your area.

They heal wounds horrendously slowly, if ever, so I wouldn't plan much of a chop unless you know how you are going to work it in to the design.

 

[rockm]

Thanks for the advice, it would be my first time trying a trunk chop so I am assuming I’d pick a decent height for the bonsai and chop it there and let it grow out again from there or do I need to leave some foliage on?

It it four or five inches above where envision “final height” to avoid die back from. Interfering with plans and leave room for extra places for the tree to bud

 

[vp999]

Thanks for the advice, it would be my first time trying a trunk chop so I am assuming I’d pick a decent height for the bonsai and chop it there and let it grow out again from there or do I need to leave some foliage on?

I’ve never chopped a Ginkgo so maybe other can chime in. But I think chopping it in the spring when it’s about to leaf out is the best time.

 

[Shibui]

I've usually chopped ginkgo in Spring - along with root pruning - but I'm pretty confident any time of year would be OK for the chop.
Ginkgo bud on bare wood really well so you can chop anywhere and expect to get new shoots. No need to leave any current foliage. It's also likely to sprout some suckers from the roots which you may or may not want to leave to grow.
Beginners tend to chop way too high initially. First chop really needs to be around 1/3 height you plan for the completed bonsai. The new shoots only ever grow upward so need to chop low enough to allow for regrowth. It's that regrowth that will give your new trunk taper. You may need to do several successive chops to develop a really good trunk.
Some of the best ginkgo bonsai I've seen have lots of vertical growing sub trunks from low on the main trunk. To get that you'll definitely ned to chop low.

Be aware that ginkgo are SLOW to develop as bonsai. Particularly slow to develop ramification (branching). I would be planning on 15-20 years or more for a ginkgo bonsai, even when starting with a thick trunk.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

If you’re choosing from nursery stock, choose based on the trunk at the soil level and the next 6” up. Then, make sure the leaves are a shape you like, since there is some variation which won’t change without grafting.

I used to chop mine in spring just before bud-break. It will be a long term project, and they make quirky bonsai, but are really cool trees. I have grown this one from seed for almost 30 years.

 

[DWHorv722]

Thank you all so much for the replies, you’ve given me tons of clarification and I really appreciate it, I’ll take it all into consideration and will try to get a plan together to start in the spring, I’ll try to update this thread with progress!!

 

[RozendaalArts]

If you’re choosing from nursery stock, choose based on the trunk at the soil level and the next 6” up. Then, make sure the leaves are a shape you like, since there is some variation which won’t change without grafting.

I used to chop mine in spring just before bud-break. It will be a long term project, and they make quirky bonsai, but are really cool trees. I have grown this one from seed for almost 30 years.
View attachment 613679View attachment 613680

Beautiful, impressive work from seed