To Privet or not to Privet

[f1pt4]

I'm thinking of picking up a privet pre-bonsai at a local nursery. It's got about a 1" trunk and potted in a bonsai pot.

It has potential as a bonsai, but has too little taper for my liking, but lots of branches to work with.

My question to you is, compared to boxwoods and yews (both relatively slow growing species), in a northern climate, planted in the ground or very large pot, how quickly do they thicken?

What could I expect in 5 years in terms of trunk size if grown in ground, good sun, and proper fertilization. Would it double in diameter?

I have a ficus that went from 1/8" to 1/2" in two growing seasons.

I have no experience with privets, so I'm just curious how they respond.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JoeR]

Yes privets are very fast growing. They are invasive here because of this rapid growth.

You can expect a good amount of increase in girth.

 

[f1pt4]

Yes privets are very fast growing. They are invasive here because of this rapid growth.

You can expect a good amount of increase in girth.

Curious, is it invasive because it spreads with shoots from roots or seeding? maybe I should google this.

If it's roots, I'd keep it potted up.

I have enough invasive species (grasses and bamboo) in my backyard that I'm trying to eradicate, so i wouldn't want to add another.

 

[JoeR]

Curious, is it invasive because it spreads with shoots from roots or seeding? maybe I should google this.

If it's roots, I'd keep it potted up.

I have enough invasive species (grasses and bamboo) in my backyard that I'm trying to eradicate, so i wouldn't want to add another.

I am not sure. I suppose Google would be of use here.

Is it a chinese privet?

 

[sorce]

I think you're better served buying a shovel. There's no way in Hell you can't find one better for free or a donut.

Even an after 4:30 donut. $0.49.

Sorce

 

[brewmeister83]

Yes privets are very fast growing. They are invasive here because of this rapid growth.

You can expect a good amount of increase in girth.

Curious, is it invasive because it spreads with shoots from roots or seeding? maybe I should google this.

If it's roots, I'd keep it potted up.

I have enough invasive species (grasses and bamboo) in my backyard that I'm trying to eradicate, so i wouldn't want to add another.

Privet are less invasive where it's colder, it's just not conducive to them living pleasantly enough to become invasive - case and point, I've only ever seen 4 privets around where I live out in the woods outside of cultivation, and plenty of people have them in their yard. If I lived further south, I'm sure I'd find more than just four. For example, take Japanese maples, I've never found one outside someones yard up here, but I've heard they can be a problem where it's warmer.

As for ground growing, whether it's European or an Asian privet, don't expect it to rapidly put on wood because the far north isn't the optimal climate for it. Even here in CT, I've seen people plant pencil thin privet a decade ago, and they're just getting to broom handle size now. Privet is a plant that tends to get rather twiggy before it puts on any substantial wood, so you have to let sacrifice branches grow for quite some time to do anything. The one I collected was a monster, but it had been growing ever so slowly over an 80+ year period to get a 10" base out in the woods. The "sacrifice" branches I cut off the trunk were themselves at least 40 years old if not more. Unfortunately, privet is one of those plants that if you want big, you have to start big.

There's a Graham Potter vid that shows this pretty well. He says the growth on that one is three years, and the thickest branch is no bigger than his fingers - and he lives in a much better climate for growing them than you or I.

There's another vid of his that shows how long it takes to get a pretty big (4-6+ inch) trunk. Vid states that the area he's collecting trees from was built/planted right after the last war (WWII) so the material he's taking out of there is 60+ years old.

Not trying to be a downer, just is what it is.

 

[JoeR]

Privet are less invasive where it's colder, it's just not conducive to them living pleasantly enough to become invasive - case and point, I've only ever seen 4 privets around where I live out in the woods outside of cultivation, and plenty of people have them in their yard. If I lived further south, I'm sure I'd find more than just four. For example, take Japanese maples, I've never found one outside someones yard up here, but I've heard they can be a problem where it's warmer.

As for ground growing, whether it's European or an Asian privet, don't expect it to rapidly put on wood because the far north isn't the optimal climate for it. Even here in CT, I've seen people plant pencil thin privet a decade ago, and they're just getting to broom handle size now. Privet is a plant that tends to get rather twiggy before it puts on any substantial wood, so you have to let sacrifice branches grow for quite some time to do anything. The one I collected was a monster, but it had been growing ever so slowly over an 80+ year period to get a 10" base out in the woods. The "sacrifice" branches I cut off the trunk were themselves at least 40 years old if not more. Unfortunately, privet is one of those plants that if you want big, you have to start big.

There's a Graham Potter vid that shows this pretty well. He says the growth on that one is three years, and the thickest branch is no bigger than his fingers - and he lives in a much better climate for growing them than you or I.

There's another vid of his that shows how long it takes to get a pretty big (4-6+ inch) trunk. Vid states that the area he's collecting trees from was built/planted right after the last war (WWII) so the material he's taking out of there is 60+ years old.

Not trying to be a downer, just is what it is.

I had no Idea of his location.

That indeed changes things.


Here privates go crazy. There's a forest of them choking out native species down my road a little.

They do grow very long/leggy and don't put on much girth until a certain age but since they grow so happily here they still gain some when young.

This is just my experience with them. Digging a few good sized ones come spring.

 

[f1pt4]

I am not sure. I suppose Google would be of use here.

Is it a chinese privet?

The majority of their bonsai stock is imported from Taiwan so yes, I'm assuming it's Chinese privet.

 

[f1pt4]

Privet are less invasive where it's colder, it's just not conducive to them living pleasantly enough to become invasive - case and point, I've only ever seen 4 privets around where I live out in the woods outside of cultivation, and plenty of people have them in their yard. If I lived further south, I'm sure I'd find more than just four. For example, take Japanese maples, I've never found one outside someones yard up here, but I've heard they can be a problem where it's warmer.

As for ground growing, whether it's European or an Asian privet, don't expect it to rapidly put on wood because the far north isn't the optimal climate for it. Even here in CT, I've seen people plant pencil thin privet a decade ago, and they're just getting to broom handle size now. Privet is a plant that tends to get rather twiggy before it puts on any substantial wood, so you have to let sacrifice branches grow for quite some time to do anything. The one I collected was a monster, but it had been growing ever so slowly over an 80+ year period to get a 10" base out in the woods. The "sacrifice" branches I cut off the trunk were themselves at least 40 years old if not more. Unfortunately, privet is one of those plants that if you want big, you have to start big.

There's a Graham Potter vid that shows this pretty well. He says the growth on that one is three years, and the thickest branch is no bigger than his fingers - and he lives in a much better climate for growing them than you or I.

There's another vid of his that shows how long it takes to get a pretty big (4-6+ inch) trunk. Vid states that the area he's collecting trees from was built/planted right after the last war (WWII) so the material he's taking out of there is 60+ years old.

Not trying to be a downer, just is what it is.

I appreciate it. I'm not looking for a Graham Potter monster. I'd be happy with 2-3" but if I need 10 years for a girth expansion of 1" due to northern climate, I may pass on it. Also since it's most likely an Asian privet, I'd probably need to end up treating it like a semi-tropical, so ground growing might not be an option here. I'll do some more research before I decide either way. I do appreciate the feedback though.

Mike.

 

[f1pt4]

I think you're better served buying a shovel. There's no way in Hell you can't find one better for free or a donut.

Even an after 4:30 donut. $0.49.

Sorce

Here the after 12hr donut is given away for free... if you smile nicely at the counter.

I got plenty of shovels, not many wild growing or landscape privets though to use them on. But I can find cedars, pines, yews and larches galore.

 

[f1pt4]

I had no Idea of his location.

That indeed changes things.


Here privates go crazy. There's a forest of them choking out native species down my road a little.

They do grow very long/leggy and don't put on much girth until a certain age but since they grow so happily here they still gain some when young.

This is just my experience with them. Digging a few good sized ones come spring.

I hope your collecting goes well in 6 months! Do show and tell.

 

[barely]

Can anyone explain the differences between the European privet and the Chinese one?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Look them up by their botanical name to see differences.

 

[sorce]

between the European privet and the Chinese one?

http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Ligustrum.html


Sorce

 

[jk_lewis]

There are at least 11 different species of Ligustrum. They come from Europe, Asia, and North Africa. L. sinensis (Chinese privet) is quite common in the Central Atlantic and Southeastern part of the USA. They are extremely invasive in these areas. Plants are spread by seeds in bird droppings.

It's not likely to be cold hardy in Canada. I'm not at all certain they'd grow in Canada without a lot of winter protection. In my experience, its wood is more likely to decay at large chop sites than the European privet's, from what I've been told, but I've never worked with the European plant.

If you don't like the taper, I suggest you don't buy it. These plants will not grow quickly in your area.

 

[f1pt4]

There are at least 11 different species of Ligustrum. They come from Europe, Asia, and North Africa. L. sinensis (Chinese privet) is quite common in the Central Atlantic and Southeastern part of the USA. They are extremely invasive in these areas. Plants are spread by seeds in bird droppings.

It's not likely to be cold hardy in Canada. I'm not at all certain they'd grow in Canada without a lot of winter protection. In my experience, its wood is more likely to decay at large chop sites than the European privet's, from what I've been told, but I've never worked with the European plant.

If you don't like the taper, I suggest you don't buy it. These plants will not grow quickly in your area.

So I went out and got me a Privet. Not from the nursery, but from the vendors table at last months club show. I don't know who the previous owner was, but I'm pretty sure it was a member, so it was most likely overwintered in Toronto. Looks like another carving candidate. Any idea on the variety?

I hasn't put much though into direction, but will repot it in the spring. For now, going into cold frame.

 

[sorce]

repot

What kind of pot?
That one doesn't fit it at all IMO!

I would See if you can find out exactly how it was wintered if possible.
If it was over like $60, I would go out of my way to find out!

I like where the branches come from now, but not where they go, it looks neglected. More power to your new design!

Definitely a pretty sweet piece!

Sorce

 

[f1pt4]

What kind of pot?
That one doesn't fit it at all IMO!

Sorce

I believe it's a XXXXL wonton wrapper, deepfried and glazed.

Ya it's getting a new pot in the spring. I'll look into the overwintering. Most likely going to stay buried in the coldframe with mulch at the base.

 

[sorce]

XXXXL wonton wrapper

Lol.

With something else in it.....

It might not be that bad!

Can't wait to see wood chips flying!

Sorce

 

[klosi]

I like it. It has good possibilities. Don't like the pot