Multiple species forest?

[Cypress]

I'm just curious if anyone on here has ever tried to put together a forest planting with 2 or 3+ different species of trees? Or has anyone seen decent examples of this being done? As actual forests have mixed species it occurred to me this could be really interesting if done right. Species paired together would have to have similar aspects, especially in foliage size, to maintain the proportional image of a forest. And of course different care requirements for different species. When I first got into bonsai I picked up a couple alberta spruce 'conica' like so many of us newbies do. "Oh hey these already look like little trees, score!". Haha, but I can't see these going anywhere as individual bonsai, so may try for a forest planting. I have another spruce species larger than the little cones and was musing about incorporating all of them in a forest together. I'll have to check on what species that is, I have it written down at home but I'm on vacation right now.

But I'm interested in the concept of multiple species forest for any number of species if anyone knows of any decent examples. Thanks and happy new year!

-Mike

 

[Jason_mazzy]

I have some cuttings and ideas for such but the problem is really matching natural species that compliment each other. I was thinking maybe some winged elm with Chinese elm so you can have different trunk and bark types while the leaves and size are complimenting but I'm not sure there is enough difference to make the balance each other.


I have really wanted to do a conifer and deciduous forest but the only thing is the Forrest would have to be very large and hard to pair complimentary.

 

[Cypress]

I have some cuttings and ideas for such but the problem is really matching natural species that compliment each other. I was thinking maybe some winged elm with Chinese elm so you can have different trunk and bark types while the leaves and size are complimenting but I'm not sure there is enough difference to make the balance each other.


I have really wanted to do a conifer and deciduous forest but the only thing is the Forrest would have to be very large and hard to pair complimentary.

In my mind I was picturing one design Idea using a rock/rocks to make the impression of different tree species growing more predominantly higher up a mountain slope on rockier terrain then have the forest slowly transition to a different species growing in the lower part of the pot. That could be really interesting with a conifer species for up on top of the "peak" with a deciduous species growing lower. but I think it would be important to mix them a bit on the transition line so it wouldn't look too abrupt or unnatural.

 

[Jason_mazzy]

I agree I've thought about that but with conifer species being so large it is a tricky transition

 

[Martin Sweeney]

Cy,

Arthur Joura at the NC Arboretum makes landscapes with multiple species. Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but there are lot's of interesting topics, pictures and thoughtful postings in this thread from IBC, so it is worth your time (and everyone else's who hasn't already seen it) to read through.

http://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t12772-bonsai-at-the-nc-arboretum?highlight=arboretum

Regards,
Martin

 

[Vance Wood]

I'm just curious if anyone on here has ever tried to put together a forest planting with 2 or 3+ different species of trees? Or has anyone seen decent examples of this being done? As actual forests have mixed species it occurred to me this could be really interesting if done right. Species paired together would have to have similar aspects, especially in foliage size, to maintain the proportional image of a forest. And of course different care requirements for different species. When I first got into bonsai I picked up a couple alberta spruce 'conica' like so many of us newbies do. "Oh hey these already look like little trees, score!". Haha, but I can't see these going anywhere as individual bonsai, so may try for a forest planting. I have another spruce species larger than the little cones and was musing about incorporating all of them in a forest together. I'll have to check on what species that is, I have it written down at home but I'm on vacation right now.

But I'm interested in the concept of multiple species forest for any number of species if anyone knows of any decent examples. Thanks and happy new year!

-Mike

From a traditional point of view it is not supposed to be done. From a practicle point of view it is not supposed to be done do to the varying types of care and soil requirements between trees in a planting and the various different element's response to bonsai culture. But go ahead and try it. According to science the Bumble Bee is not supposed to be able to fly. Trouble is, no one told the bumble bee, so it flys anyway.

 

[brewmeister83]

There's an older book (1963) called "Bonsai Saikei" by Toshio Kawamoto & Joseph Kurihara that has a section on making mixed specie landscapes. A couple examples had a conifer in the background and broadleaf in foreground and vice versa to create a sense of landscape and perspective. The book's rare and usually over 300$ a copy, but I happened to snag one on ebay for about 180$. PM me if you're interested in more info, I can scan the pages for you if you want.

~Kevin

 

[Cypress]

From a traditional point of view it is not supposed to be done. From a practicle point of view it is not supposed to be done to the varying types of care and soil requirements between trees in a planting and the various different elements response to bonsai culture. Buit go ahead and try it. According to science the Bumble Bee is not supposed to be able to fly. Trouble if no one told the bumble bee so it flys anyway.

Haha, well said. Yea I suppose that's why I was asking. I did mention different care requirements for different species in my first post, which is the biggest thing I think. Of course I respect and admire traditional bonsai tenants, and I think there is a very good reason for them. But then again I've been known to push back against what others consider traditional in other parts of my life. And how many of the great american bonsai artists have pushed into new territory from traditional japanese styles? Even if just slightly? I do feel like there is are certain elements I've seen in american bonsai styles that are really something else. But I agree that this is something that would be hard to pull off well, or would have to be thought through to some extent. Pairing trees that grow in the same environment and require the same care.

 

[bonsaibp]

I had a very cool and large planting on a stone slab with3 Blue Atlas cedar, 5 Pro. nana juniper and 5 small leafed olives that looked awesome- no pictures though I sold it before I had a digital camera. But those three species worked great for the 10 or so years I had it before selling it. The cedars were in the high area and were about 12-16 inches, the junipers in the middle about 4-8 inches and the Olives were in the foreground and about 6-8 inches tall.

 

[edprocoat]

It might work with the use of understory types of trees/bushes too. I have often thought about pairing up some larger juni's with a shade tolerant type mixed in like in a natural forst with the larger trees reaching the light and different trees that grow underneath, what has always made me forget it would be the soil and care, as for the care I mean mainly getting to the ones underneath to prune and maintain them and the fact the roots would probably compete and not be compatible.

ed

 

[jkd2572]

The North Carolina arboretum has awesome hinoki cypress. planted with satsuki azaleas. Totally different watering requirements but It works. Check out this shot. Sorry for the bad lighting. The angle was the best shot I could get as the sun was staring to rise.

 

[jkd2572]

Here is another from the same place.

 

[jkd2572]

And another.

 

[jkd2572]

And another.

 

[jkd2572]

And last.

 

[Vance Wood]

Very nice. If I remember correctly these are actually called Saike. I love them and it is good to see the mixture of species.

 

[fourteener]

I imagine that success has everything to do with getting the scale right and finding species with root systems that won't overrun each other. I have been experimenting with the gray lava rock. Carving out a separate hole for different plants. All together, separate! It's working so far.

 

[macdad]

I have thought about this also. When I drive around the backroads, I see a groups of trees mostly oak or similar with a loan white bark tree in the middle. I love how it stands out. Not sure what the tree is with white bark. I think it would be great to create something like this.

 

[Cypress]

I have thought about this also. When I drive around the backroads, I see a groups of trees mostly oak or similar with a loan white bark tree in the middle. I love how it stands out. Not sure what the tree is with white bark. I think it would be great to create something like this.

A birch species maybe?

 

[Cypress]

It might work with the use of understory types of trees/bushes too. I have often thought about pairing up some larger juni's with a shade tolerant type mixed in like in a natural forst with the larger trees reaching the light and different trees that grow underneath, what has always made me forget it would be the soil and care, as for the care I mean mainly getting to the ones underneath to prune and maintain them and the fact the roots would probably compete and not be compatible.

ed

Seems that most of the pictures you posted from NC are doing exactly what Ed was musing about. Using certain species to give the impression of understory shrubs in a forest, as opposed to only mixing species that would all portray large trees. These are really well done too, it adds a whole different dimension to it.