So a couple weeks ago I went Yamadori scouting in and around my parents' property. Lots of overgrown fields and patches of woods. One species I had in mind on this walk was this one, though I was unable to identify it until now. Common Buckthorn or Rhamnus cathartica. It is an exotic invasive here in the Americas, originally native to europe and was brought here as an ornamental tree apparently. It grows like a weed around my parents property. It is a small tree, does not get very much taller than 25 feet as I've seen it around here. Reminds me of Hawthorn when I see a mature tree... smaller in stature but wild and gnarly in character.
The Bark seems to mature to a rough and gnarled almost black color quite quickly and in contrast the leaves are quite small and delicate looking (~2inches long, oval shaped and smooth, perfectly sized for bonsai), which I love that stark contrast between trunk and foliage.
I suppose the reason why I am putting all this detail in is that I have been very very hard-strapped to find any other instances of people using this species as bonsai. Which if they grow like they do around here in other areas I would hope someone would have ripped one out of the ground by now to experiment. But these are the two threads i've really been able to find, which are completely lacking:
http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthr...nsai-(Rhamnus-cathartica)&highlight=buckthorn
http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t2976-buckthornrhamnus-cathartica-as-bonsai
Here's the Yamadori I've fallen in love with:
The pictures make it look smaller than it actually is I feel. I have to remember to bring a soda can with me next time I go hiking. I think the trunk base is probably 7 or 8 inches across, and where the second branch up departs from the main trunk is definitely over a foot off the ground. I believe I could achieve really great, dramatic taper rather quickly by chopping the main trunk above the second branch.
I'm thinking that I will chop the main trunk this spring, as well as the second branch to some degree (this branch will serve as the new apex trunk/leader) and will chop the first branch (on the right in pic 1) as well. Although I am considering keeping the first branch on to further develop taper. This may not be necessary at all though. Thoughts???
PS.
Here's someone else's decent collection of photos of Common Buckthorn Foliage and fruits, etc (I'll have to remember to take pictures when the leave are still on the tree!): http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/rhamnuscathartica/Interesting
The Bark seems to mature to a rough and gnarled almost black color quite quickly and in contrast the leaves are quite small and delicate looking (~2inches long, oval shaped and smooth, perfectly sized for bonsai), which I love that stark contrast between trunk and foliage.
I suppose the reason why I am putting all this detail in is that I have been very very hard-strapped to find any other instances of people using this species as bonsai. Which if they grow like they do around here in other areas I would hope someone would have ripped one out of the ground by now to experiment. But these are the two threads i've really been able to find, which are completely lacking:
http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthr...nsai-(Rhamnus-cathartica)&highlight=buckthorn
http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t2976-buckthornrhamnus-cathartica-as-bonsai
Here's the Yamadori I've fallen in love with:
The pictures make it look smaller than it actually is I feel. I have to remember to bring a soda can with me next time I go hiking. I think the trunk base is probably 7 or 8 inches across, and where the second branch up departs from the main trunk is definitely over a foot off the ground. I believe I could achieve really great, dramatic taper rather quickly by chopping the main trunk above the second branch.
I'm thinking that I will chop the main trunk this spring, as well as the second branch to some degree (this branch will serve as the new apex trunk/leader) and will chop the first branch (on the right in pic 1) as well. Although I am considering keeping the first branch on to further develop taper. This may not be necessary at all though. Thoughts???
PS.
Here's someone else's decent collection of photos of Common Buckthorn Foliage and fruits, etc (I'll have to remember to take pictures when the leave are still on the tree!): http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/rhamnuscathartica/Interesting
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But I think I will probably just work it while it's still in the ground this coming growing season. Sever some of the major lateral roots with a trench, and chop back the trunks to some degree. That way I can at least spare it from losing all it's foliage and most of it's roots in one go.
