Actually, I’m quite tempted to choose JWP. But, gotta stick with the girl I brought to the dance!Never saw that coming.
You can only grow one species of bonsai!?
- Thread starter GGB
- Start date
HorseloverFat
Squarepants with Conkers
Starfox
Masterpiece
I´ve been thinking about this all bloody day now, thanks. lol 
But that is the sign of a really good question.
I think most, including myself have neglected the important bit....
It could be a simple reason for some but the ´and why?´ for me would have to go beyond the realm of just bonsai. To dedicate ones life work to a singular species you would have to have a special type of connection of some sort with that species and be passionate about them. So that is the approach I took to the question, I certainly could of picked an easier species or flashier one but since it´s a hypothetical I may as well go all in so I picked the River Red Gum, E. camaldulensis.
Why?
Well as a fundamental start they do take to bonsai culture and respond well so as a species they are at least suitable and given the time frame of a life time you may just start to get on top of things with them. But then you need the connection to them, the reason to be passionate about a singular species and I don´t think it´s all that hard to find.
Firstly they are the most widespread Eucalyptus in Australia so growing up and living there they are the backdrop to the lives of many, they have an iconic look and are a familiar part of life and the landscape. They are the trees you climb as kids and play in the hollows. The ones you tie a rope or tyre swing to for the kids. You remember vividly stripping the flakey bark back looking for lizards and bugs. Maybe your parents dragged you to visit an historically significant one because a German family once lived in the hollow of one. You clamber on the roots on the riverbank fishing rod in hand and sit in the shade on a hot day. The dropped branches are the firewood that keeps you warm at night and a big enough branch will substitute for chairs around that fire.
Then you have the importance of these trees to the indigenous people, they are a sign of water and shelter in a dry, hot environment. A sign of life. Certain impressive specimens are places the women used to go to give birth, known as birthing trees. They used them to create tools, weapons and canoes for survival but rarely by killing the tree. You can find these trees all over known as scar trees. They would carve sacred trees for ceremonial purposes and fuse together branches as sign posts or markers. Can be used as bush medicine and probably a whole lot of other stuff I can´t recall right now.
So there are a lot of feels there, certainly more than enough for a solid connection and they do say bonsai should convey a story.
And all that is without even discussing the aesthetics of the trees, and that could be the tough thing. I have ideas in my head that very well may take a lifetime to see them come together. Replicating the size, the power and proportions wouldn´t be an easy feat but in saying that there almost isn´t a wrong answer with these. They grow relatively normal or they get weird. Can grow in all sorts of places they shouldn´t but the will to survive is strong and telling. Whether it´s an exposed root tree, roots sitting in the river and clinging to a riverbank leaning out for meters over the water, a burnt out cavernous hollow surrounded by a living shell or a really gnarled twisted upright there is sooo much inspiration from nature you can have a lifetime and not get bored. You´ve got the colourful, shedding bark and lush dens foliage levels or root systems that can go from vast, twisted mess to fused above rock. Buttressing would be desirable too. They can be more than just a tree in a pot too, landscape settings would be fun to explore contrasting the soil, water and sky scapes. Iconic nightime or sunset silohuettes would offer a different dimension also.
Overall I don´t really think there is another species which has had such a big impact in my life as these and if I had a lifetime to spend with just the one and try and sort them out then I´d happily abide withe the River Red.
But that is the sign of a really good question.
I think most, including myself have neglected the important bit....
It could be a simple reason for some but the ´and why?´ for me would have to go beyond the realm of just bonsai. To dedicate ones life work to a singular species you would have to have a special type of connection of some sort with that species and be passionate about them. So that is the approach I took to the question, I certainly could of picked an easier species or flashier one but since it´s a hypothetical I may as well go all in so I picked the River Red Gum, E. camaldulensis.
Why?
Well as a fundamental start they do take to bonsai culture and respond well so as a species they are at least suitable and given the time frame of a life time you may just start to get on top of things with them. But then you need the connection to them, the reason to be passionate about a singular species and I don´t think it´s all that hard to find.
Firstly they are the most widespread Eucalyptus in Australia so growing up and living there they are the backdrop to the lives of many, they have an iconic look and are a familiar part of life and the landscape. They are the trees you climb as kids and play in the hollows. The ones you tie a rope or tyre swing to for the kids. You remember vividly stripping the flakey bark back looking for lizards and bugs. Maybe your parents dragged you to visit an historically significant one because a German family once lived in the hollow of one. You clamber on the roots on the riverbank fishing rod in hand and sit in the shade on a hot day. The dropped branches are the firewood that keeps you warm at night and a big enough branch will substitute for chairs around that fire.
Then you have the importance of these trees to the indigenous people, they are a sign of water and shelter in a dry, hot environment. A sign of life. Certain impressive specimens are places the women used to go to give birth, known as birthing trees. They used them to create tools, weapons and canoes for survival but rarely by killing the tree. You can find these trees all over known as scar trees. They would carve sacred trees for ceremonial purposes and fuse together branches as sign posts or markers. Can be used as bush medicine and probably a whole lot of other stuff I can´t recall right now.
So there are a lot of feels there, certainly more than enough for a solid connection and they do say bonsai should convey a story.
And all that is without even discussing the aesthetics of the trees, and that could be the tough thing. I have ideas in my head that very well may take a lifetime to see them come together. Replicating the size, the power and proportions wouldn´t be an easy feat but in saying that there almost isn´t a wrong answer with these. They grow relatively normal or they get weird. Can grow in all sorts of places they shouldn´t but the will to survive is strong and telling. Whether it´s an exposed root tree, roots sitting in the river and clinging to a riverbank leaning out for meters over the water, a burnt out cavernous hollow surrounded by a living shell or a really gnarled twisted upright there is sooo much inspiration from nature you can have a lifetime and not get bored. You´ve got the colourful, shedding bark and lush dens foliage levels or root systems that can go from vast, twisted mess to fused above rock. Buttressing would be desirable too. They can be more than just a tree in a pot too, landscape settings would be fun to explore contrasting the soil, water and sky scapes. Iconic nightime or sunset silohuettes would offer a different dimension also.
Overall I don´t really think there is another species which has had such a big impact in my life as these and if I had a lifetime to spend with just the one and try and sort them out then I´d happily abide withe the River Red.
Silentrunning
Chumono
Winged Elm. It is a resilient tree with beautiful bark. And my property is full of them.
Tycoss
Chumono
Englemann spruce. They are one of the only species that can be overwintered here without protection. There are very good yamadori available near me, they can vary greatly depending on growing conditions and they are very evocative of our Rocky Mountain subalpine, which I love.
GGB
Masterpiece
Imagine me, I've had this stuck in my head for weeks haha. My mind can be a cruel place.I´ve been thinking about this all bloody day now, thanks. lol
But great answer. That part (passion for a species) is as important as suitability for bonsai. If I had said 2 or 3 species it would have made the whole thing dramatically easier. An evergreen, deciduous and an oddball tree
GGB
Masterpiece
If I could collect engelemann in my area I wouldn't touch another species
Gabler
Masterpiece
But what about Bon-Sadie-Hawkins-sai? Which girl would bring YOU to the dance?
That should be its own thread. "Which species seems to like you best?"
Lol!!!
Japanese White Pines follow me home because they do very well in my climate. In fact, I’m picking up two more that I have had in California, And bringing them home for their health.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
Probably pinyon pines- pinus edulis. I love those things in the wild, and they grow in almost any way imaginable.
Mulberries. Friggin' weeds I can't stand to part with. They're SOOOO delicious, and I don't think I could kill them if I tried. Actually, I have tried before. No joy. Just new suckers and a bunch of wood for the smoker.But what about Bon-Sadie-Hawkins-sai? Which girl would bring YOU to the dance?
Mayank
Chumono
Gotta agree with @Brian Van Fleet. Shimpaku all the way!
AJL
Chumono
Tough choice but right now Id say Larch
jeremy_norbury
Omono
Same here - Larch.
Going to rescue some more tomorrow...
Going to rescue some more tomorrow...
PeaceLoveBonsai
Chumono
It’s a great question. If you could have only one, I’d think you want year round interest.
I’ve come to really like the Stewertia. Flowers, great bark. Excellent winter silhouette . Makes a great forest, clump, twin trunk, formal and informal upright.
That would be my choice.
I’ve come to really like the Stewertia. Flowers, great bark. Excellent winter silhouette . Makes a great forest, clump, twin trunk, formal and informal upright.
That would be my choice.
Japonicus
Imperial Masterpiece
I hope to see these on the forum soon. Happy trails, stay safe!
Kanorin
Omono
Important question: Is cross-cultivar or species grafting allowed?
GGB
Masterpiece
PaulH
Omono
Junipers. Native yamadori junipers..... and oaks
Kanorin
Omono
TN_Jim
Omono
American hornbeam
Pure fuckin’ muscle
Pure fuckin’ muscle
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