Fraxinus (Ash) questions...

[HorseloverFat]

So.. let’s say that, “hypothetically”, “Some one I know” ignorantly collected 2 younger (3-5 anos) Fraxinus Pennsylvanicum specimens mistaking them for one of our native prunus (I know, What a bone-head! Hypothetically)).

If these specimens where exhaustively inspected for signs of... um.. tenants, and treated once or twice a year with a systemic solution, would there health become a concern in the future (as regarding the little beasts... not giving them the satisfaction of naming them)?

I am DEFINITELY within the greater impact areas.. and within the national quarantine.... I just figured I’d pose this “hypothetical question” as a personal favor to “this guy I know”

I know he’s not TOO attached to these hypothetical specimens and mostly just wants to know if it would be prudent OR worth his time to continue on with these particular trees.

 

[HorseloverFat]

 

[HorseloverFat]

I’ve “enclosed” digital representations to portray what two such hypothetical specimens would look like.. purdy realistic, if you ask me.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I could drone on that the East of the Rocky Mountains species of ash (Fraxinus) are not very good candidates for bonsai, compound leaves, large leaves that don't reduce, relatively coarse branching, never develops a twiggy structure. But that won't stop anyone from wasting time trying to turn them North American Fraxinus into bonsai. All they have to do is see a photo of one of the Chinese or eastern eurpean ash used as bonsai and they will go ahead and bust their tails trying to make the North American species into bonsai.

So I won't do that.
Knock yourself out, they do produce a nice coarse bark on relatively young trees. That is about the only positive thing I can say about them. Autumn color is yellow, but often goes to blotchy brown before the yellow can be appreciated. Can't think of anything else I don't like about them. LOL

Seriously, try it, who knows, you might get lucky.

 

[HorseloverFat]

I could drone on that the East of the Rocky Mountains species of ash (Fraxinus) are not very good candidates for bonsai, compound leaves, large leaves that don't reduce, relatively coarse branching, never develops a twiggy structure. But that won't stop anyone from wasting time trying to turn them North American Fraxinus into bonsai. All they have to do is see a photo of one of the Chinese or eastern eurpean ash used as bonsai and they will go ahead and bust their tails trying to make the North American species into bonsai.

So I won't do that.
Knock yourself out, they do produce a nice coarse bark on relatively young trees. That is about the only positive thing I can say about them. Autumn color is yellow, but often goes to blotchy brown before the yellow can be appreciated. Can't think of anything else I don't like about them. LOL

Seriously, try it, who knows, you might get lucky.

Thank you!

I was more so referring to the ash borer... I was not sure if it was wise to attempt to keep this specie around (as it was a mistaken id collection), as I was uncertain if this would draw unwanted attention.

I didn’t necessarily seek the ash out... i do/did like the look of the mature ones I have noted.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

The emerald ash borer is largely attracted to full size trees, on "bonsai size" trees, if the borer does find them, they can be dealt with by using imdaproclid, or other systemic pesticides. And a fungicide to kill of any associated fungus. Not likely to be a problem.

Go ahead and see what you can do with it.

 

[August44]

After Leo described the trees chances of being a decent bonsai, why waste the time? Work with, and spend time with something that could actually turn into and acceptable bonsai. Just my opinion of course.

 

[HorseloverFat]

After Leo described the trees chances of being a decent bonsai, why waste the time? Work with, and spend time with something that could actually turn into and acceptable bonsai. Just my opinion of course.

I think a better question is why not?

I disturbed this tree, pruned it hard and moved it to a new location. This is on ME... seems counterproductive (Advancement-wise) to discard said living object SIMPLY because it did not live up to my expectations thus far.

Also, to me, this isn’t a waste of time or energy.. i ENJOY plants, “bonsai” or other.

I would be spending the same amount of time taking care of many OTHER specimens...what’s two more to explore the growth patterns of?

Space isn’t an issue (yet).. so like I said, why not?

 

[HorseloverFat]

The emerald ash borer is largely attracted to full size trees, on "bonsai size" trees, if the borer does find them, they can be dealt with by using imdaproclid, or other systemic pesticides. And a fungicide to kill of any associated fungus. Not likely to be a problem.

Go ahead and see what you can do with it.

Thank you, Leo!

 

[August44]

I think a better question is why not?

I disturbed this tree, pruned it hard and moved it to a new location. This is on ME... seems counterproductive (Advancement-wise) to discard said living object SIMPLY because it did not live up to my expectations thus far.

Also, to me, this isn’t a waste of time or energy.. i ENJOY plants, “bonsai” or other.

I would be spending the same amount of time taking care of many OTHER specimens...what’s two more to explore the growth patterns of?

Space isn’t an issue (yet).. so like I said, why not?

I used to think that way also. Key words are "USED TO". I don't have the time or space to waste though. Just my opinion

 

[HorseloverFat]

I used to think that way also. Key words are "USED TO". I don't have the time or space to waste though. Just my opinion

Noted.

 

[Eckhoffw]

If you enjoy watching plants develop and have the time/space/energy, do it!
I currently have - am caring for quite a few small trees I know will never be acceptable bonsai.
However,
I still much enjoy watching collected trees establish and develop into something greater.

 

[HorseloverFat]

If you enjoy watching plants develop and have the time/space/energy, do it!
I currently have - am caring for quite a few small trees I know will never be acceptable bonsai.
However,
I still much enjoy watching collected trees establish and develop into something greater.

Exactly!

and also; Noted!

 

[NOZZLE HEAD]

So.. let’s say that, “hypothetically”, “Some one I know” ignorantly collected 2 younger (3-5 anos) Fraxinus Pennsylvanicum specimens mistaking them for one of our native prunus (I know, What a bone-head! Hypothetically)).

If these specimens where exhaustively inspected for signs of... um.. tenants, and treated once or twice a year with a systemic solution, would there health become a concern in the future (as regarding the little beasts... not giving them the satisfaction of naming them)?

I am DEFINITELY within the greater impact areas.. and within the national quarantine.... I just figured I’d pose this “hypothetical question” as a personal favor to “this guy I know”

I know he’s not TOO attached to these hypothetical specimens and mostly just wants to know if it would be prudent OR worth his time to continue on with these particular trees.

In a shade tree nursery where borers can cause millions of dollars worth of damage the trees are kept protected with insecticides at all times. A neonic applied as a drench, some compounds are effective for many months. Then repeat applications of a barrier type insecticide on the trunk, usually a pyrethroid because they are very inexpensive.

There should be readily available data, or even a degree day model as to when the EAB are flying and just prior to that is when to start the barrier applications.

If you do all the treatments you should be able to keep the trees protected indefinitely.

 

[HorseloverFat]

In a shade tree nursery where borers can cause millions of dollars worth of damage the trees are kept protected with insecticides at all times. A neonic applied as a drench, some compounds are effective for many months. Then repeat applications of a barrier type insecticide on the trunk, usually a pyrethroid because they are very inexpensive.

There should be readily available data, or even a degree day model as to when the EAB are flying and just prior to that is when to start the barrier applications.

If you do all the treatments you should be able to keep the trees protected indefinitely.

Thank you, much. I have just applied the systemic once.. so far. I will make it part of the yearly cycle.

 

[DavidBoren]

I think we should be grabbing as many Fraxinus tress as possible, and perserving whatever old growth genes we can. It is probably way easier/cheaper to treat a tree that is six inches tall.

And, maybe someday, we will invent some terrifying genetically altered Parasitoid wasp that mercilessly feasts on the EAB... and we can then release our hideous Fraxinus bonsai trees into the wild where they will be free to breed in a world devoid of the EAB menace.

 

[HorseloverFat]

I think we should be grabbing as many Fraxinus tress as possible, and perserving whatever old growth genes we can. It is probably way easier/cheaper to treat a tree that is six inches tall.

And, maybe someday, we will invent some terrifying genetically altered Parasitoid wasp that mercilessly feasts on the EAB... and we can then release our hideous Fraxinus bonsai trees into the wild where they will be free to breed in a world devoid of the EAB menace.

That’s why i still have this stupid one... a LARGE number of “big” fraxinus trees here, are gone...

You can spot the ash forests from afar.

 

[DavidBoren]

How are your hypothetical Ash specimens doing?

 

[HorseloverFat]

I tried for almost 3 years now...

The internodes are always wildly random... And you can't get ahead of the leaf size.... Definitely not "suited best" for bonsai..

We kept one, because Riley wanted to take care of it.

 

[Colorado]

I tried for almost 3 years now...

The internodes are always wildly random... And you can't get ahead of the leaf size.... Definitely not "suited best" for bonsai..

We kept one, because Riley wanted to take care of it.

so what you’re saying is that @Leo in N E Illinois was right