How do Inkberry Ilex Glabra 'shamrock do as bonsai'

[Baldemotions]

I was just wondering how Inkberry Ilex Glabra do as bonsai?

I have this one that I received from someone who no longer wants it.

The trunk is only 5/8 of an inch diameter.

 

[bougie nights]

I have wodered the same thing. I'd bet they could be nice if you can force some foliage down the branches.

 

[HoneyHornet]

I see that this is super old but I was just searching inkberry bonsai did you end up doing anything with it and if so is it still alive after all these years

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I see that this is super old but I was just searching inkberry bonsai did you end up doing anything with it and if so is it still alive after all these years

This is probably a "dead thread", the OP has not logged in, in many years.

Ilex glabra, inkberry is related to and very similar to Ilex verticillata, winterberry. Both are deciduous. Ilex glabra is deciduous and has black berries, where as Ilex verticillata is also deciduous and has red berries. I don't have any photos of Ilex glabra as bonsai, though I know it is occasionally used. Attached photo is of Ilex verticillata, a tree that is part of the Milwaukee Bonsai Foundation permanent bonsai collection housed at the Lynden Sculpture Garden, in the northern suburbs of Milwaukee, WI. The tree in the photo is roughly 12 inches tall and had been landscape material, harvested for bonsai use more than 25 years ago. Originally owned by Michelle Zimmer.



The difficult part of using Ilex as bonsai is getting the caliper, or diameter trunk you need to make a convincing "tree" image. The trunks of Ilex are slow to increase in diameter. Ground growing or growing out in large nursery containers for a fair number of years is needed to get a decent trunk. Harvesting old landscape material is the better source for these rather than shopping younger specimens from nurseries.

 

[Njyamadori]

Am

This is probably a "dead thread", the OP has not logged in, in many years.

Ilex glabra, inkberry is related to and very similar to Ilex verticillata, winterberry. Both are deciduous. Ilex glabra is deciduous and has black berries, where as Ilex verticillata is also deciduous and has red berries. I don't have any photos of Ilex glabra as bonsai, though I know it is occasionally used. Attached photo is of Ilex verticillata, a tree that is part of the Milwaukee Bonsai Foundation permanent bonsai collection housed at the Lynden Sculpture Garden, in the northern suburbs of Milwaukee, WI. The tree in the photo is roughly 12 inches tall and had been landscape material, harvested for bonsai use more than 25 years ago. Originally owned by Michelle Zimmer.

View attachment 337963

The difficult part of using Ilex as bonsai is getting the caliper, or diameter trunk you need to make a convincing "tree" image. The trunks of Ilex are slow to increase in diameter. Ground growing or growing out in large nursery containers for a fair number of years is needed to get a decent trunk. Harvesting old landscape material is the better source for these rather than shopping younger specimens from nurseries.

amazing tree you have there

 

[HoneyHornet]

This is probably a "dead thread", the OP has not logged in, in many years.

Ilex glabra, inkberry is related to and very similar to Ilex verticillata, winterberry. Both are deciduous. Ilex glabra is deciduous and has black berries, where as Ilex verticillata is also deciduous and has red berries. I don't have any photos of Ilex glabra as bonsai, though I know it is occasionally used. Attached photo is of Ilex verticillata, a tree that is part of the Milwaukee Bonsai Foundation permanent bonsai collection housed at the Lynden Sculpture Garden, in the northern suburbs of Milwaukee, WI. The tree in the photo is roughly 12 inches tall and had been landscape material, harvested for bonsai use more than 25 years ago. Originally owned by Michelle Zimmer.

View attachment 337963

The difficult part of using Ilex as bonsai is getting the caliper, or diameter trunk you need to make a convincing "tree" image. The trunks of Ilex are slow to increase in diameter. Ground growing or growing out in large nursery containers for a fair number of years is needed to get a decent trunk. Harvesting old landscape material is the better source for these rather than shopping younger specimens from nurseries.

Ahh I didnt even look at his status..and yes I totally can see what you mean with finding the girth for bonsai material..I actually see them commercially planted allot places and thats where I started wondering about them..most are skinny with foliage far from the trunk but looks like if you find a hearty base it will backbud nice based on the pic you shared