Prunus cerasifera (?) advice needed

[stav121]

So, I got gifted this tree from a close family member, which I believe is a Prunus cerasifera which has been producing fruit (small green apple-like) for years now which are surprisingly delicious. When I received it, it had shoots that where twice the size of the current tree, but I had to reduce it down due to space limitations. While pruning it I also discovered a major scale insect infestation which has been treated now (hopefully) but the tree seemed to be suffering at the time.

Now, the juicy question. Do you think that there is any future for this tree as a large bonsai? I have noticed that any lower branch has died (the placement it had at my family member's house had near to no light for the biggest part of the day) but is there any hope for creating them from scratch?

Also considering the fact that the infestation was pretty major, and the fact that it has probably never been reported, do you believe that it is best to start off it's new life with a good rootwork and let it grow for the season?

 

[Shibui]

Prunus cerasifera fruits ripen to either red or yellow and it's a plum so not really apple like - single seed inside. If it is producing small green apples maybe it's a crab apple? Not enough detail in the picture for me to go one way or the other.
Both species bud well from old wood if you chop so no problem getting new shoots down lower but you will probably need to chop the top right off because any branches up higher are likely to stop any lower buds from emerging.

You'll definitely get much better new shoots if the tree is healthy and happy so a good repot and let it grow for a season or a year will definitely pay off in the long run with much better regrowth. Letting it run for a year will also add some thickness to the trunk which will help make your eventual bonsai look more mature.

Adding your location could give some clues to species. It will definitely help with advice on when to repot, etc.

 

[stav121]

Yes, it could be some kind of crab apple. Now, coming from wikipedia, the fruit looks almost exactly like this (if memory serves well):

Source: https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/Κορομηλιά_(φυτό)

I live in Greece, and this tree is commonly called "Κορομηλιά" (koromiliá) which roughly translates to Cherry Plum if I am not mistaken.

Now, yes, I probably have to let it grow a couple this year and take pictures of it and its leaf for better identification.

 

[stav121]

Update: might be this? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greengage

 

[JeffS73]

Yes, those are greengages, a kind of plum.

 

[stav121]

So here is the tree now, it has flowered and new buds are pushing (not very clear in the photos). I hope to get some buds lower down so that I can consider a trunk chop to shorten the tree.

 

[Shibui]

Most trees don't bud lower while they have strong upper branches so you might wait in vain.
Prunus are very good at new buds on older wood if they are chopped. You can wait and see if you wish but I'd just chop where you want the new shoots to start and regrow the tree from there.
The alternative is to style it with the existing branches.

 

[Vali]

Your tree seems to have some of those short, spikey branches as can be seen at prunus spinosa. It produces the kind of fruit you showed, but they get dark blue, when they are ripe. The shape is the same as with prunus cerasifera. When green, the fruits should be very sour. They are among the first trees to wake up and flower in spring. Look it up, it could be a possibility

 

[stav121]

So here is the current state of the tree. I noticed some buds starting to wake up lower in the trunk and took the chance to butcher it a few days ago. The top part has been removed and now buds are popping up all over the trunk - which I will take as a good sign.

Now, wait and see, I hope it survives.