My little sweet gum

[c54fun]

Thought I would post a couple of pictures of my little sweet gum tree. Its the smallest tree I have. Will never bee anything special but fun to work on and may have some nice color in the fall. Grows well in my area also.

Next year I plan on defoliating to get the leaves smaller. They shrink up real nice.

Trimmed it up this afternoon. Leaving the lower shoot on. Maybe it will thicken the base of the years?

 

[Giga]

Cute little tree, the lower shoots will thicken the base, but it will also leave a scar so you may want to take that into account. What's ur plan for it?

 

[c54fun]

Little sweetgum is doing well. Next year I will make the leaves smaller.

 

[JudyB]

You've done well with these leaves, they look in good shape for this time of year. I was never able to keep sweet gums healthy here. This should be nice in fall color, please post it.

 

[c54fun]

You've done well with these leaves, they look in good shape for this time of year. I was never able to keep sweet gums healthy here. This should be nice in fall color, please post it.

Thanks Judy. I killed a very nice sweetgum last year but learned what I did wrong. I have this little tree and also growing two separate trees that will be planted together next spring. Together they should have lots of leaves which is what I want to see in the fall. It wont be a cool looking bonsai but I will style it for as much foliage as possible.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

There is a sweet gum in the National Bonsai Collection in DC. The make a nice larger size bonsai. These are young, bulk up their trunks, they could become nice. One of the best species for autumn color.

 

[c54fun]

This is what the little sweetgum looks like. Will be interesting what it will look like this year.

 

[just.wing.it]

Sweetgum?
Makes those spikey seed balls???

 

[c54fun]

Sweetgum?
Makes those spikey seed balls???

Yes but I've never seen them. Be cool if this one makes them.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Is that painted mica? I've thought about doing the same when reading comments on keeping certain species roots cool.

 

[c54fun]

Is that painted mica? I've thought about doing the same when reading comments on keeping certain species roots cool.

No its just painted plastic.

 

[Rose Mary]

Is that painted mica? I've thought about doing the same when reading comments on keeping certain species roots cool.

I have painted the mica training pots. My daughter did s few with Japanese Characters years ago and it is still there and bright. acrylic

 

[Potawatomi13]

Nice tree with good movement. Could be great tree one day with love/patience.

 

[c54fun]

Buds are starting to swell.

 

[c54fun]

Love seeing those little leafs pop out.

 

[c54fun]

Little sweetgum is leafing out fast. Great to see.

 

[TN_Jim]

Thanks Judy. I killed a very nice sweetgum last year but learned what I did wrong. I have this little tree and also growing two separate trees that will be planted together next spring. Together they should have lots of leaves which is what I want to see in the fall. It wont be a cool looking bonsai but I will style it for as much foliage as possible.
View attachment 158437

I will be collecting a couple this season. I’m wandering about the mortality of your previous tree, and what you did differently..any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

 

[c54fun]

I will be collecting a couple this season. I’m wandering about the mortality of your previous tree, and what you did differently..any suggestions appreciated. Thanks

These have delicate roots and if the pot gets to hot it will burn the root tips and cause massive black spots on the leaves. I didn't know this when I bought it. Thought it could handle full sun.
I keep this little one in more shade and use a white pot to help in the hot Texas summer.

 

[bonhe]

Hi c54fun,
Are you sure it is sweet gum? To me, the leaves looks like Liquidamber orientalis!
Bonhe

 

[c54fun]

Hi c54fun,
Are you sure it is sweet gum? To me, the leaves looks like Liquidamber orientalis!
Bonhe

Liquidambar orientalis, commonly known as oriental sweetgum aka sweetgum.