Multi-species kabudachi?

[Veebs]

Is there any precedent for kabudachi composed of different species? What would happen?

 

[MMJNICE]

I'm attempted to combine different Varieties of acer platinum,,Japanese maples mountain maples "green" and red Japanese maple.. not exactly what you're talking about but kinda different. If you wanted to combine different species it's definitely possible. Where I live in Ohio you see marlbury trees and Hackberry tree's fused at the base all the time naturally. They are both tuff tree's that have a suckering habit and because birds poop there's seeds out in the same siting you get two tree's grown very close together and when they get larger they fuse. I've seen countless examples of different types of tree's fused together so I would think its do able. And welcome to bonsai nut BTW. I noticed you only have a handful of messages.

 

[rockm]

Is there any precedent for kabudachi composed of different species? What would happen?

It is done, but it requires specific knowledge and accommodation for the species used. The pic below is of one of the multi-species forest plantings at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum (photo was taken in the autumn--the tree's aren't sick).

It's STewartia, beech and boxwood. All like decently well-drained soil, so they can grow well together, provided the boxwood isn't shaded out. There is another planting at the museum that uses White Pine, hornbeam and beech, which is trickier to handle since hornbeam like moist soil, while pines don't. Soil and watering must be adjusted.

Bottom line depends on what species you're using -- the closer they are in growth habits, the better things will go.

 

[Veebs]

I'm attempted to combine different Varieties of acer platinum,,Japanese maples mountain maples "green" and red Japanese maple.. not exactly what you're talking about but kinda different. If you wanted to combine different species it's definitely possible. Where I live in Ohio you see marlbury trees and Hackberry tree's fused at the base all the time naturally. They are both tuff tree's that have a suckering habit and because birds poop there's seeds out in the same siting you get two tree's grown very close together and when they get larger they fuse. I've seen countless examples of different types of tree's fused together so I would think its do able. And welcome to bonsai nut BTW. I noticed you only have a handful of messages.

I've mostly been a lurker, using the site for reading and info rather than questions and comments.