Anyone working on Eastern Wahoo?

[JPhillips]

I collected an Eastern Wahoo (Euonymous atropupureus) this year on a farm in South Eastern Nebraska and was curious as to whether anyone has any experience with this species as it is already beginning to leaf out. I hope to get pictures up in the next few days.

I know the use of E. atalatus and E. japonicus is fairly common but I haven't seen anything on atropurpureus.

 

[Ang3lfir3]

never heard of it until now..... reading up sounds pretty similar to alatus .... the major difference seeming to be the serrated margins on the leaves... sounds like an interesting specimen to try out.... i would be interested to see those pics for sure.... especially if its leafing out....

 

[JudyB]

I thought Wahoo was a fish! If the leaves are small, then it should work...

 

[JPhillips]

So here she is; only March and already leafing out. My plan thus far is to chop back the long straight branches either next season or the one after to make a sort of informal broom. I am also considering a semi-cascade. Thoughts?

 

[JudyB]

Those leaves almost look like pyracantha leaves. But that base looks like it'll be fun to develop... It is not shouting semi-cascade to me... Broom looks more likely.

 

[JPhillips]

I only collected this a week ago! Same with the gooseberry. It looks like spring hit us a month early here in Nebraska.

 

[JPhillips]

The branches all come out straight and are mostly in line with each other (seen in pic3). I know Ill have to cut back to get more motion but I was wondering how I might get more movement where the main trunks diverge. Would a branch bender work here or maybe some guy wires?
I'm sorry that the soil is covering the nebari but I'm afraid to uncover them right now in fear of damaging its fibrous roots which are pretty near the surface. I'm pretty new to this so any advice on how to best keep this tree healthy or possible styling would be greatly appreciated.
-Thanks again, Jake Phillips

 

[evmibo]

What does the other side look like?

This kind of reminds me of Harry Harrington's privets. one of them at least

That being said, I know nothing of Eastern Wahoo Tree and if they'd be able to put up with the abuse privets can take.

 

[rockm]

Eastern Wahoo is Euonymus atropurpureus, related to the bittersweet. I've not worked with Euonymus as bonsai, but I have one in my front yard. Tough as nails when it comes to pruning. I've had some mildew and mold problems with them in the summer, but that's because my front yard faces north and doesn't get much sun.


http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/wahoo.htm

 

[JPhillips]

here is the back


and here it is from the side you can see how the branches are arranged in a fan shape.

 

[JPhillips]

I did some excavating of the nebari today and here is what I found...

Front?


Back?


It definitely changes my styling options but nothing has jumped out at me quite yet. The large branches won't budge so Ill probably have to cut back substantially but then what? Like I said nothing has jumped out at me yet so any ideas would be graciously received.

Jake Phillips