Tree identification and future advice

[prairiechicken]

Hi everyone! I've been intrigued by bonsai for quite some time now, and have recently gotten quite enthusiastic about the hobby. I have a couple trees- A Ficus and Portulacaria Afra. I was strolling around the local garden center and found this one in a sea of generic junipers... and it caught my eye. It's still generic- and I wouldn't say it's a beautiful bon(mall)sai... but material can be expensive and a bit hard to come by around these parts. I bought it exactly as it- with wire and potted up.

All of that being said- I can't figure out what this is. A fukien tea?... but the bark doesn't really look right. The leaves don't quite look right either. Who knows (I know you do!).

Secondly- how do you think I should work this tree for the future? It seems to be a pretty awkward shape with all the branches coming from the same node. The tree is also small and young- and desperately needs a developed nebari and a more interesting and thicker trunk.

So what can I do to ensure it becomes better in the future? What kind of long-term plan do you envision with this?

Thanks a lot for your time!

 

[Shibui]

The big leaves behind caused some problems with ID until I realised they are another tree.
This looks like a buxus - I think you call them boxwood.

You are correct about the branches all from one place. That's easy for the quick commercial sale but not good long term. Best to only have 1 branch and 1 trunk from any place so need to prune off any extras. That might leave it a bit bare but more growth and pruning should allow it to fill in from more appropriate spots and lead to a much better tree. Bonsai is rarely instant. Take time to develop good structure.

This tree is so young and immature you can develop any shape from what you have. Just decide what you want and work toward that. Be aware that box can be slow to grow and develop.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Welcome to the site!

I agree it looks like a boxwood. They naturally take well to a broom style - which is the only style where you want branches to all project from the trunk at one spot (think umbrella). That said, your little tree needs to grow larger so that the trunk will thicken and the tree in general will gain scale.

This is one of the classic bonsai conundrums. Do you prune the tree now for a final style? Or do you let the tree grow as quickly as possible in order to gain scale... and then worry about styling in the future. It is almost impossible to do both at the same time.

 

[prairiechicken]

Thanks for the replies! Some good advice here. I was actually thinking of layering it at the junction of all of the branches and potentially make a clump style... but I'm a bit scared to kill the thing, since I'm very new to bonsai. I have no problem taking the slow route here.

It seems like If I move in the broom direction, maybe I can get the best of both worlds? Keep the growth strong (by keeping all of the branches), and end up making a pretty interesting shape... despite the lame branch placement.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Greetings! Let me extend a welcoming branch.

Box trees (buxus) are interesting to learn about, given they have unique growth habits. “Not so straightforward.“... a member here posted about them, semi-recently (I cannot recall the exact post, my apologies. I DO recall that it was about workshop material)

Boxwoods are fairly slow in overall growth rate... but still entertaining to observe.

If “robust” is what you are seeking, then a longer period (seasons) are necessary, in my opinion. Do not let this thought discourage you... just use the time to sculpt and “direct” a nice piece of material.

If it were my tree, I would go through and make very light branch selection (next optimal pruning period)... just straightening out the basic bifurcations, while leaving the remaining foliage untouched/untrimmed. Then I would put it in place, meet it’s needs, observe it for a good while, contemplating design direction.

Spend some real quality time “getting to know each other.”

 

[prairiechicken]

Thanks for the advice, HorseloverFat. Can you describe the process of light branch selection? Or perhaps direct me to a resource that describes it?

 

[HorseloverFat]

I began (in high spirits) typing out a reply detailing general bifurcation and whatnot to assist. Just then, my son ran by and threw a bowl of noodles on my lap... Yup.

So here is an interesting read on bifurcation and pruning.... i believe it will help in the mentioned light branch selection.

Bifurcations — Bonsai Society of Portland

Return to Branch Tips index

www.portlandbonsai.org

Once again, this branch selection is just what I would do, and it’s also important to know WHEN you should (climate)

 

[HorseloverFat]

Also, when you begin to glow and need to “phone home”... where IS “home”?

If you take a second to update your profile to reflect relative location or zone (Mine simply says, “NorthEastern Wisconsin, so it can be vague), it will make it easier for these nice folks to assist you with this, and further ventures.

 

[prairiechicken]

Thanks for the article. I'll give it a read! I'll also add more profile information! Thanks for the heads up! I couldn't figure out how.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Thanks for the article. I'll give it a read! I'll also add more profile information! Thanks for the heads up! I couldn't figure out how.

Not a problem, at all.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Also one needs to note that buxus are evergreen... typically the guidelines this reading will apply more to deciduous species as says “da rules” .... hehe. (C.Y.O.A.)

I felt that I should point that out, as not to mislead... It IS still how I, personally, would go about assessing each branch, if not trunkline entirely. I do feel that it is is of UTMOST importance to point out that I am a big doofus...

So listen to me at your own risk..

Others with more experience than I will surely assist..

 

[prairiechicken]

Thanks again- I gave the article a read... very illuminating. I had some Idea of what you were talking about, but the article summed it up very succinctly.