Found Fukien Tea discarded. Can this be nursed back to life? Or is it dead?

[_spacetroop]

Hello! I am new to this site and I’m not sure how to go about navigating or posting/asking questions, please forgive me if this is the wrong way!
My name is Joey, I have never owned, tended to or have taken care of a bonsai tree before today. I live in Portland, Maine. I found this Fukien Tea discarded on the side of the road yesterday (November 17, 2023). If you know anything about Maine, it gets really cold in the fall/winter. I’m not sure how long it had been outside and neglected. It did have a tag on it saying what kind of tree it was and how long it has been growing, which is 8 years. I’ve always really enjoyed the way bonsai trees look and I’ve always had an appreciation for how much time and effort some take to maintain. So, my question is: Is it dead? Can this be nursed back to good health? Am I wasting my time trying to save this little guy? I tried to take the best pictures I could. If this can be saved, what do I need to do? How should I go about trying to revive this tree, and what are my best options? Should I start over and purchase a bonsai that is in good health and easy for beginners to care for? If I can save this tree I want to do what I can to do that! Any input, information, and suggestions are welcome! Thank you all!

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Yes it's dead. There's no chance for this plant.

If you want to join the hobby, you're welcome here! Consider reading up on indoor and outdoor bonsai, because 99.9% is outdoors only.
And then watch a couple videos on youtube, go to a nursery and see what you can find. There are a bunch of good videos out there about picking nursery stock and considering the time of year, you'll probably find a bunch on sale.

 

[Contact]

Ciao! Sono nuovo su questo sito e non sono sicuro di come navigare o pubblicare/fare domande, per favore perdonami se questo è il modo sbagliato!
Mi chiamo Joey, non ho mai posseduto, curato o preso cura di un albero bonsai prima di oggi. Vivo a Portland, nel Maine. Ho trovato questo tè Fukien scartato sul ciglio della strada ieri (17 novembre 2023). Se sai qualcosa del Maine, fa molto freddo in autunno/inverno. Non sono sicuro di quanto tempo fosse rimasto fuori e trascurato. Aveva un'etichetta che diceva che tipo di albero era e da quanto tempo cresce, ovvero 8 anni. Mi è sempre piaciuto molto l'aspetto degli alberi bonsai e ho sempre apprezzato il tempo e gli sforzi necessari per la loro manutenzione. Quindi la mia domanda è: è morto? È possibile riportarlo in buona salute? Sto sprecando il mio tempo cercando di salvare questo piccoletto? Ho provato a scattare le migliori foto che potevo. Se questo può essere salvato, cosa devo fare? Come dovrei provare a far rivivere questo albero e quali sono le mie migliori opzioni? Dovrei ricominciare da capo e acquistare un bonsai che sia in buona salute e facile da curare per i principianti? Se riesco a salvare questo albero, voglio fare quello che posso per farlo! Qualsiasi contributo, informazione e suggerimento è il benvenuto! Grazie a tutti!

Seems gone

 

[Warlock]

Did you do the scratch test on the trunk with your finger nail?? If it's green the leaves will come back. If it's not green.. it's Dead..

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Did you do the scratch test on the trunk with your finger nail?? If it's green the leaves will come back. If it's not green.. it's Dead..

Check the wrinkly cracked bark, there is no green under that. I promise.
I too have good hopes sometimes, but once the bark starts shrinking and wrinkling, it's dry to the bone through and through. Then it has been dead for more than a month.

 

[vp999]

Did you do the scratch test on the trunk with your finger nail?? If it's green the leaves will come back. If it's not green.. it's Dead..

I've had many trees that are still green when scratched the bark but never grew any new leaves for over a year ...Any explanation for that? Thanks!

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Tree is gone. You can see the dead cambium at the top of the nebari. Likely overwatered and died from root rot. Unlikely it will survive. Second point is... Fukien Tea can not survive freeze damage so if outside overnight in Portland Maine for a few recent days where temps likely have dipped below freezing... likely death sentence. We had 29 here in 7b two nights ago... portland maine is something like USDA 5???

The good thing is you have a free pot to use for something hardy to your area next spring or for a new tropical if you want to keep something indoors!!

Welcome to the site.

 

[Flowerhouse]

+1 for dead. Just wanted to mention that when you decide to buy a living tree-in-pot, don't go for a Fukien Tea. They are hard to keep in a temperate climate. Mine is still living and growing after 3 years but it will never be anything more than what it is right now.

 

[Warlock]

I've had many trees that are still green when scratched the bark but never grew any new leaves for over a year ...Any explanation for that? Thanks!

sure.. you didn't keep them watered for several months until the next spring (in Texas)... that's when i saw them send out leaves again. after not giving up on them (still watering them) i had several tree surprise me. LOL
an Oak comes to mind for sure, it was not very green at all.. just a hint when scratched, but it came back this spring like gangbusters...

but for you,. i wasn't standing next to you during this time nor did i see your trees so idk..
of course i am talking about mostly deciduous trees
not pine trees.. once they get brown leaves and look like they need water.. it's to late.. they are gonna die..

ps. you're welcome

 

[Carol 83]

Should I start over and purchase a bonsai that is in good health and easy for beginners to care for? Yes. At least finding that one sparked an interest in the hobby. Welcome. I second @Flowerhouse , don't buy another Fukien Tea, they are full of aggravation and heartbreak.

 

[Casey Clancy]

Hello! I am new to this site and I’m not sure how to go about navigating or posting/asking questions, please forgive me if this is the wrong way!
My name is Joey, I have never owned, tended to or have taken care of a bonsai tree before today. I live in Portland, Maine. I found this Fukien Tea discarded on the side of the road yesterday (November 17, 2023). If you know anything about Maine, it gets really cold in the fall/winter. I’m not sure how long it had been outside and neglected. It did have a tag on it saying what kind of tree it was and how long it has been growing, which is 8 years. I’ve always really enjoyed the way bonsai trees look and I’ve always had an appreciation for how much time and effort some take to maintain. So, my question is: Is it dead? Can this be nursed back to good health? Am I wasting my time trying to save this little guy? I tried to take the best pictures I could. If this can be saved, what do I need to do? How should I go about trying to revive this tree, and what are my best options? Should I start over and purchase a bonsai that is in good health and easy for beginners to care for? If I can save this tree I want to do what I can to do that! Any input, information, and suggestions are welcome! Thank you all!

This baby is cooked, sorry ! Personally- I would stay away from commercial bonsai- such as this Fukien Tea Tree. They come with very poor soil and very ordinary, uninteresting shapes- such as the ol’ S turn trunk. If you do come across commercial bonsai that you want to purchase, I would repot the tree asap in a sufficient bonsai soil(akadama, pumice, lava rock). Once the tree gains its health, you can then begin its new journey as a bonsai !

 

[_spacetroop]

This baby is cooked, sorry ! Personally- I would stay away from commercial bonsai- such as this Fukien Tea Tree. They come with very poor soil and very ordinary, uninteresting shapes- such as the ol’ S turn trunk. If you do come across commercial bonsai that you want to purchase, I would repot the tree asap in a sufficient bonsai soil(akadama, pumice, lava rock). Once the tree gains its health, you can then begin its new journey as a bonsai !

Ok awesome! Thank you so much for your help, I greatly appreciate it! Also, I will definitely keep in mind what soil I should use and what I should look for as far as my next purchase of bonsai. Thanks again!

 

[_spacetroop]

Thank you for the welcome! Yes I am definitely interested and fascinated by any type. I will definitely keep in mind to stay away from these particular ones! I am looking for one that I can keep indoors so any suggestions on that will kindly be accepted! Thank you!

 

[_spacetroop]

Seems gone

yeah it seems it is

 

[_spacetroop]

Yes it's dead. There's no chance for this plant.

If you want to join the hobby, you're welcome here! Consider reading up on indoor and outdoor bonsai, because 99.9% is outdoors only.
And then watch a couple videos on youtube, go to a nursery and see what you can find. There are a bunch of good videos out there about picking nursery stock and considering the time of year, you'll probably find a bunch on sale.

Ok thank you for your help I really appreciate it. I’ll definitely check out a nursery for sure. I’m just not sure I’ll find much this time of year? Or how to maintain one indoors over the winter. Where I live it is very cold and snowy in the winters. Thank you again for your input!

 

[_spacetroop]

Did you do the scratch test on the trunk with your finger nail?? If it's green the leaves will come back. If it's not green.. it's Dead..

I did try this I used a razor blade to lift some of the bark up. All I could find was brown or tan. It looked like it was probably rotted

 

[_spacetroop]

Check the wrinkly cracked bark, there is no green under that. I promise.
I too have good hopes sometimes, but once the bark starts shrinking and wrinkling, it's dry to the bone through and through. Then it has been dead for more than a month.

Yeah it’s definitely brown underneath and from what I can tell is probably rotted as well. I couldn’t find any green whatsoever

 

[_spacetroop]

Tree is gone. You can see the dead cambium at the top of the nebari. Likely overwatered and died from root rot. Unlikely it will survive. Second point is... Fukien Tea can not survive freeze damage so if outside overnight in Portland Maine for a few recent days where temps likely have dipped below freezing... likely death sentence. We had 29 here in 7b two nights ago... portland maine is something like USDA 5???

The good thing is you have a free pot to use for something hardy to your area next spring or for a new tropical if you want to keep something indoors!!

Welcome to the site.

Yeah I figured it was a goner. I also really have no idea of the zones and all that but yes Portland Maine is very cold and snowy in the winter. I was pretty excited that I at least got the pot out of it. Thank you for the welcome and thank you for your response!

 

[Carol 83]

Thank you for the welcome! Yes I am definitely interested and fascinated by any type. I will definitely keep in mind to stay away from these particular ones! I am looking for one that I can keep indoors so any suggestions on that will kindly be accepted! Thank you!

Ficus are easy indoor trees, although they will benefit from spending the summer outdoors. Adding your location to your profile will get you the best advice for your climate.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Yeah I figured it was a goner. I also really have no idea of the zones and all that but yes Portland Maine is very cold and snowy in the winter. I was pretty excited that I at least got the pot out of it. Thank you for the welcome and thank you for your response!

2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

planthardiness.ars.usda.gov

I agree with ficus as a good first tree to learn with.